The Ironton Tribune • Pigskin Preview 2019

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6

FOOTBALL 2019

Members of the 2019 Chesapeake Panthers’ football team are: front row from left to right, manager Anthony Williams, Landon Preston, Ian Hicks, Sam Bevans, Grayson Walsh, Scott Poole, Marcus Burnside and Haven Perkins; second row from left to right, Kaleb Stepp, Nick Ferguson, Logan Walsh, Carson Nida, Will Todd, R.J. Ward and Brady Wilson; third row from left to right, Luke Shields, Thomas Sentz, Donald Richendollar, Ryan Martin, Aaron Ross, 24, Lucas Shepherd and Izaiah Willis; fourth row from left to right, Alec Dement, Levi Best, Hayden Blankenship, J.T. Henry, Jordan Phillips, Cody Bragg and Zack Stepp; fifth row from left to right, Nick Burns, Justice Hutchison, Dakota Hess, Bryce Mount, Hunter Blackburn, Jacob Belton and Kamren Harless. (Kent Sanborn of SouthernOhioSportsPhotos.com)

Knipp takes the helm at Chesapeake Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

CHESAPEAKE— The transition has been smooth.

Now, if the season would just operate the same way.

Todd Knipp moves from assistant coach to head coach this season for the Chesapeake Panthers and he’s hoping that the injury bug that ravaged the team last season doesn’t continue.

The Panthers finished 4-6 last season and only 1-6 in the Ohio Valley Conference due to a rash of injuries.

But there is a silver lining thanks to the injuries.

A lot of younger players re-

turn after gaining valuable playing experience.

“On paper we look young, but actually we’re pretty experienced. A lot of these guys got thrown into the fire early last year due to injury. It was kind of like ‘who’s going to go down this week?’” said Knipp.

“We had kids keep stepping in and getting valuable experience. That should help them make this transition quickly.”

Being a head coach isn’t new for Knipp. He was the head coach at Rock Hill for 12 years prior to moving to Chesapeake two years ago.

PLEASE SEE “KNIPP,” PAGE 7

QUICK HITTER

Head Coach: Todd Knipp (46-76, first year at Chesapeake and 13th overall)

Assistant Coaches: Rick Clark, Aaron Rice, Bob McCollister, Ryan Summers, Chris Ball, Brenden Meadows, Georg Long, Tim Boggs.

Video: Kerry Tutt.

Key Returnees: Kamren Harless, Dakota Hess, Carson Nida, Will Todd, Alec Dement, Donald Richendollar, R.J. Ward, Nick Burns.

Key Losses: Austin Browning, Tyler Eddy, Isaiah Pinkerman, Dillon Lunsford, Matt Cremeans, Isaiah White, Max Allen.

2018 Record: 4-6 (1-6 OVC, seventh) Offense: Double Slot, Multiple Defense: 4-4, Multiple Returning Offensive Starters: 7 Returning Defensive Starters: 6

FOOTBALL 2019

7

CHESAPEAKE PANTHERS FOOTBALL ROSTER 2019 Chesapeake Panthers Football Roster No. Player Pos. Ht. Wt. 2 Logan Walsh RB-DB 5-08 165 3 Carson Nida RB-DB 5-09 165 4 Will Todd RB-DB 5-07 150 5 Kamren Harless RB-DB 6-01 165 6 Lucas Shepherd PK 5-07 130 7 Levi Best QB-DB 5-10 130 8 Randy Wilson PK 5-08 155 9 Grayson Walsh RB-DB 5-09 145 10 Jordan Phillips WR-LB 6-00 175 11 Nick Ferguson WR-LB 5-10 145 12 Thomas Sentz WR-DB 6-03 170 14 Donald Richendollar QB-DB 5-09 160 15 Aaron Ross RB-DB 5-10 140 16 Kaleb Stepp QB-LB 5-07 135 20 Luke Shields WR-DL 5-09 165 21 Sam Bevans WR-DB 5-08 135 22 Jaxon Vance RB-LB 6-00 180 28 Izaiah Willis RB-LB 5-09 145

Knipp CONTINUED FROM PAGE 6 “I’ve told a couple of guys before that I’ve been fortunate enough to follow guys who left on their own terms. That’s always good. I’ve been an assistant at both places, so coming in was good for me because I already knew the kids, I was able to keep the staff in tack and bring a couple of other guys in and that way make the transition as smooth for the kids as possible.

RUNNING BACK Seniors Kamren Harless (6-1, 165) and Will Todd (5-7, 150) will be the

wingbacks with seniors Logan Walsh (5-8, 165) and Carson Nida (5-9, 165) the fullback.

Harless ran 117 times for 1,053 yards and 14 touchdowns last season.

Todd carried 57 times for 641 yards and eight touchdowns in just five games due to injuries.

“I have the good fortune to have four senior running backs. All those kids kind of have a different skill set but they bring a lot to the table,” said Knipp.

“Competition has been good. I say, ‘Hey, you’re getting it done. You’re going to play.’ We have three running back spots and four guys vying for them. So, they’ve been getting after it pretty good blocking, running,

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32 Marcus Burnside 33 Landon Preston 34 Blake Thompson 35 Ian Hicks 44 Justice Hutchison 45 Haven Perkins 50 Jacob Belton 53 Alec Dement 54 R.J. Ward 55 Hayden Blankenship 56 J.T. Henry 60 Cody Bragg 62 Zack Stepp 65 Nick Burns 70 Hunter Blackburn 71 Bryce Mount 77 Dakota Hess 81 Scott Poole 88 Ryan Martin Head coach: Todd Knipp

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faking so far.”

Inching their way up the depth chart are sophomores Landon Preston (5-7, 130) and Grayson Walsh (5-9, 145).

QUARTERBACK Junior Donald Richendollar (5-9, 160) will take the helm from the start of the season after finishing up as the starter the final few games last season.

“Don got a lot of valuable experience at the varsity level. He probably took snaps at quarterback almost every game, meaningful snaps. Weeks nine and ten he actually started at halfback for us, so he’s been on the field,” said Knipp.

PLEASE SEE “QUARTERBACK,” PAGE 8

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FOOTBALL 2019

Quarterback

CHESAPEAKE PANTHERS 2019 DEPTH CHART

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 7

DEFENSE FS

CB

CB

5 Harless 7 Best

14 Richendollar 11 Ferguson 35 Hicks

3 Nida 12 Sentz

ILB

ILB

3 Ward Bragg

OLB 4 Todd 12 Sentz

53 Dement 62 Stepp

DE

DT

12 Shields 56 Henry

56 Henry 71 Mount

OLB 2 L. Walsh 11 Ferguson

DT

DE

70 Blackburn 65 Burns

77 Hess 44 Hutchison

OFFENSE WR

LT

12 Lorem Sentz ipsum 11 dolor Ferguson sitam 35 Lorem Hicks ipsum dolor sitam

56 Henry 71 Mount

LG 65 Burns 60 Bragg

C

RG

53 Dement 54 Ward

WB

54 Ward 62 Stepp

RT

TE

77 Hess 70 Blackburn

QB FB

5 Harless 9 G. Wlash

PLEASE SEE “PANTHERS,” PAGE 34

WB

14 Richendollar 7 Best

4 Todd 33 Preston

2019 Schedule

3 Nida 2 L. Walsh

44 Hutchison 20 Shields 34 Thompson

“Donald gives us a pretty good skill sets as far as a runner and a thrower at the quarterback position. He’s really grasping the offense and showing a lot of leadership.”

Sophomore Levi Best (510, 130) is the backup.

RECEIVERS There is a corps of players battling for time at the receiver position that includes juniors Thomas Sentz (6-3, 170), Ian Hicks (5-3, 110) and Nick Ferguson (5-10, 145).

“All those guys have been taking reps there. They catch the ball well and run good routes. All have proven they can block so we’ll be able to rotate guys in and out and stay pretty fresh,” said Knipp.

Todd

Nida

Harless

Hess

Richendollar

Shields

Sentz

Ferguson

Dement

Henry

Ward

2018 Results

Walsh

C

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p b t a K

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Chesapeake Panthers August 30 at Oak Hill 7:00 September 6 MINFORD 7:00 13 at Symmes Valley# 7:00 20 at Gallipolis# 7:00 27 at Coal Grove# 7:00 October 4 IRONTON# 7:00 11 at Portsmouth# 7:00 18 SOUTH POINT# 7:00 15 ROCK HILL# 7:00 November 1 FAIRLAND# 7:00 #-Denotes OVC game Head coach: Todd Knipp Chesapeake Panthers Chesapeake 12 Oak Hill Chesapeake 21 Alexander Chesapeake 49 Symmes Valley Chesapeake 20 Gallipolis Chesapeake 35 Coal Grove Chesapeake 27 Ironton Chesapeake 39 Portsmouth Chesapeake 53 South Point Chesapeake 36 Rock Hill Chesapeake 26 Fairland Record: 5-5 (3-4OVC)

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CHESAPEAKE PANTHERS Our village.

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10

FOOTBALL 2019

Members of the 2019 Fairland Dragons’ football team are: front row from left to right,Jordan Wellman, Bryan Defoe, Colton Tackett, Brennan West, Reilly Sowards, Kyle Rankin, Kobe Newman, Blaine Cremeans, Rhiyder Slone and Michael Stitt; second row from left to right, Casey Hudson, Zander Schmidt, Emma Marshall, Gavin Hunt, Max Ward, Josiah Wyrick, Logan Hamlin, James Johnson and Tevin Taylor; third row from left to right, Gavin Davis, Kaden Craft, Gabe Williams, J.D. Brumfield, Riley Kazee, Austin Porter, Tyler Sammons, Seth Dement, Trey Black and Jacob Craft; fourth row from left to right, Donnie Nolan, Steeler Leep, Stephen Rhodes, Mason Ward, Sam Ward, Matt Williams, Blake Sammons, Dylan Holley and Nick Night. (Kent Sanborn of SouthernOhioSportsPhotos.com)

Dragons must fill huge hole at quarterback Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

PROCTORVILLE — When Fairland coach Melvin Cunningham looks at the preseason depth chart, he can’t seem to take his eyes off one position as he studies the names.

For the first time in four years, the Dragons will have a different name atop the depth chart at quarterback with the graduation of Joel Lambiotte.

The All-Ohio quarterback set school passing recovers including a monster season last year when he was 153-of-238 for 2,370 yards and 27 touchdowns with just five intercep-

tions. He also ran 74 times for 605 yards and 11 scores.

He helped the Dragons to a 6-4 record and Division IV playoff appearance.

However, he suffered an ankle injury against St. Clairsville which virtually erased any chance Fairland had to win.

“We all know what Lambiotte was as a player, but it’s the things he did off the field we’ll miss more than anything. He was a true leader,” said Cunningham.

“He’s one of the better people you want to be around. Just to be around that four-year evolution was amazing.”

PLEASE SEE “QUARTERBACK,” PAGE 12

QUICK HITTER

Head Coach: Melvin Cunningham (15-25 at Fairland, fifth season; 23-37 overall, seven seasons) Assistant Coaches: Michael Jackson, Aaron Murray, Mark Hinkle, Clayton Dement, Woody Kincaid, Khalil Adams. Physical Therapist: Joe Lambiotte.

Key Returnees: Reilly Sowards, Brennen West, Kyle Rankin, Michael Stitt, Blaine Cremeans, Gavin Hunt, Tyler Sammons, Bryan Defoe, Seth Dement, Casey Hudson, J. D. Brumfield.

Key Losses: Joel Lambiotte, Robbie McFarland, Tucker Adkins, Seth McLalin, Jacob Rankin.

2018 Record: 6-4 (4-3 OVC, fourth) Offense: Pro Set, Multiple Defense: 4-3, Multiple Returning Offensive Starters: 6 Returning Defensive Starters: 7

FOOTBALL 2019

11

FAIRLAND DRAGONS 2019 DEPTH CHART DEFENSE FS

CB

CB

5 West 10 Sowards

10 Sowards 4 G. WIlliams

LB OLB

Stitt

West

Cremeans

Ward

Taylor

Slone

Hudson

3 Stitt 7 Hunt

LB

23 Kazee 21 Taylor

8 Schmidt 22 S. Ward

Sowards

2 Brumfield 26 Cremeans

DE

DT

24 Defoe 62 Tackett

65 Rankin 74 Hamlin

DT

OLB 26 Cremeans 18 Slone

DE

43 Newman 78 Johnson

6 Williams 56 Hudson

OFFENSE WR

LT

37 Hunt 6 Williams 28

LG

74 Hamlin 54 Wellman

56 Hudson 62 Tackett

RB 2 Brumfield 27 Leep

C 78 Johnson 55 Dement

QB RB 3 Stitt 6 Williams

16 M. Ward 15 Sammons 8 Schmidt

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RG 65 Rankin 52 M. Ward 51 Rhodes

RT

WR

43 Newman 78 Johnson

10 Sowards 21 Taylor

WR 5 West 21 Taylor

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12

FOOTBALL 2019

2019 Schedule

Fairland Dragons August 30 TOLSIA, W.Va. 7:00 September 6 at Oak Hill 7:00 13 at Ironton# 7:00 20 WAVERLY 7:00 27 ROCK HILL# 7:00 October 4 GALLIPOLIS# 7:00 11 at South Point# 7:00 18 PORTSMOUTH# 7:00 25 at Coal Grove# 7:00 November 1 CHESAPEAKE# 7:00 #-Denotes OVC game Head coach: Melvin Cunningham

2018 Results

FAIRLAND FOOTBALL ROSTER

Fairland Dragons Fairland 42 Tolsia, W.Va. Fairland 35 Athens Fairland 23 Ironton Fairland 27 Waverly Fairland 42 Rock Hill Fairland 35 Gallipolis Fairland 50 South Point Fairland 20 Portsmouth Fairland 35 Coal Grove Fairland 30 Chesapeake D4 PLAYOFFS Fairland 6 St. Clairsville Record: 6-5 (4-3 OVC)

Newman

0 31 41 41 35 53 20 35 13 26 34

Rankin

2019 Fairland Dragons Football Roster No. Player Pos. Ht. Wt. Gr. 1 Emma Marshall PK 5-06 126 Jr. 2 J.D. Brumfield RB-LB 5-09 195 So. 3 Michael Stitt RB-DB 5-08 155 Sr. 4 Gabe Williams WR-DB 5-06 135 So. 5 Brennan West WR-DB 5-08 150 Sr. 6 Jordan Williams RB-DL 6-02 215 Jr. 7 Gavin Hunt WR-DB 6-00 150 Jr. 8 Zander Schmidt QB-DB 5-09 160 So. 9 Matt Williams WR-DB 5-05 100 Fr. 10 Reilly Sowards WR-DB 6-02 160 Sr. 11 Blake Sammons WR-DL 6-00 165 Fr. 12 Gavin Davis WR-DL 5-11 145 So. 15 Tyler Sammons QB-DB 6-00 135 So. 16 Max Ward QB-DL 6-00 155 Jr. 17 Melvin Valentine WR-DB 6-01 150 So. 18 Rhiyder Slone RB-DB 5-07 125 Sr. 20 Jacob Craft RB-DB 5-09 125 So. 21 Tevin Taylor RB-DB 5-09 155 So. 22 Sam Ward RB-LB 5-09 145 Fr. 23 Riley Kazee RB-LB 5-09 210 So.

Brumfield

Quarterback CONTINUED FROM PAGE 10

QUARTERBACK Junior Max Ward (6-1, 165) is one of the candidates to fill the quarterback position along with sophomores Zander Schmidt and Tyler Sammons.

“It’s going to take some adjustments to figure out who we are and what we are as a football team, but we’ll figure it out in some kind of way. It’s just like every year. You start brand new,” said Cunningham.

“Tolsia (the first game) is several weeks away. We’ll figure it out by then.” said Cunningham.

Hunt

Dement

24 26 27 33 44 46 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 59 62 63 65 74 75 78 80 99

Bryan Defoe Blaine Cremeans Steeler Leep Kaden Craft Josiah Wyrick Kobe Newman Trey Black Stephen Rhodes Mason Ward Austin Porter Jordan Wellman Seth Dement Casey Hudson Dylan Holley Colton Tackett Donnie Nolan Kyle Rankin Logan Hamlin Nick Night James Johnson Sam Dudley Cody Nolan

Johnson

Cunningham said the offense philosophy won’t change even with a new quarterback.

“We understand here at Fairland we’re going to use the whole length and whole width of the football field.

That’s our offense in a nutshell.

You’re going to have to be able to defend the entire field to play against us,” said Cunningham.

“We’ll go it in a different manner this year. We understand the strength of our team last year was with him. The strength of the team this year is not going to lie with that position. We feel that we have other

RB-LB WR-LB RB-DB WR-DB OL-DL OL-DL OL-DL OL-DL OL-DL OL-DL OL-DL OL-DL OL-DL OL-DL OL-DL OL-DL OLDL OL-DL OL-DL OL-DL WR-DE OL-DL

Defoe

5-08 150 6-00 180 5-07 140 5-05 115 6-00 200 6-05 250 5-07 180 5-07 155 5-07 150 5-09 170 6-01 255 5-07 165 6-03 210 5-06 150 5-10 5-10 5-06 145 6-02 200 6-04 255 6-00 285 6-01 280 6-06 185 5-08 200

Sr. Sr. Fr. So. Jr. Sr. So. Fr. Fr. So. Sr. So. So. Fr. Sr. Fr. Sr. Jr. Fr. So. So. Sr.

Hamlin

players at other positions that direct the path that we go.”

RUNNING BACK Senior Michael Stitt (5-8, 155) returns to lead the backfield. Last season, Stitt ran for 549 yards and a 7.8 yards per carry average while catching 41 passes for 510 yards.

“Stitt had a very good year last year and we expect the same out of him. He’s so versatile and very elusive. But we feel we have a host of guys who can run the football,” said Cunningham.

PLEASE SEE “RUNNING BACK,” PAGE 14

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FOOTBALL 2019

Running back CONTINUED FROM PAGE 12 Sophomore J.D. Brumfield is one of the backfield candidates along with sophomore Tevin Taylor (5-9, 155) and junior Jordan Williams (6-2, 215), a transfer from Hurricane, West Virginia.

“J.D. Brumfield is good player. A lot of people are going to get to know that young man this year,” said Cunningham.

“We have Jordan Williams and Tevin Taylor and we have a freshman Steeler Leep who by the end of the season can touch the ball and increase production for us.”

WIDE RECEIVER Seniors Reilly Sowards (6-2, 160) and Brennan West (5-8, 150) and junior Gavin Hunt (6-0, 150) all return to the receiving corp.

Hunt had 7 catches for 679 yards and five touchdowns last season while Sowards caught 49 passes for 635 yards and 10 TDs. “Everyone knows what Hunt and Sowards can do, but Brennan West is a guy we have to get the ball to a whole lot more. He’s a lot like those two guys. When he gets the ball in his hands, he has the opportunity to make a big play,” said Cunningham.

“Williams and Taylor can both play outside. We feel we have a lot of depth with our skill players.”

OFFENSIVE LINE Oh, those three dreaded words: young and inexperienced.

“We’re young up front. It’s not going to be a secret to anyone. We have a lot of growing to do,” said Cunningham.

“Coach (Greg) Briner at Marshall when I first got there he asked ‘what’s the biggest room and smallest room in the world?’ At that time at 18 and I didn’t have a clue and was scared to answer. As you go through the process you realize the smallest room is a mushroom and the largest room is the room for improvement.

That’s where we are on the offensive line right now.”

Sophomores James Johnson (6-1, 280) and Seth Dement (5-7, 165) are the candidates at center. Senior Kyle Rankin (6-2, 200) returns at one guard with sophomore Casey

Hudson (6-3, 210) or possibly senior Colton Tackett (5-10, 190) his running mate.

Junior Logan Hamlin (6-4, 255) got some playing time at tackle last year and senior Kobe Newman is back after missing last season.

“Hamlin has to step up. It’s no option. If we’re going to be good, he has to play well,” said Cunningham.

“Newman is back in the fold and that kid is a college athlete.”

Jordan Wellman, Mason Ward and Steven Rhodes all could see playing time.

“We feel we’ve made progress but we realize we have work ahead of us,” said Cunningham.

DEFENSIVE LINE There are several players who will rotate to give the Dragons depth and experience up front.

The group is comprised of senior Bryan Defoe (5-9, 165) joins Rankin, Newman, Williams and Hudson.

“We feel we have a lot of depth up front and guys who have a range of ability to do a lot of things,” said Cunningham.

LINEBACKERS Senior linebacker Blaine Cremeans (6-0, 205) had 109 tackles last season including eight for a loss.

“There’s not a player I’ve ever coached who goes that hard. He’s never going to say anything. I don’t think he’s said a word to me in four years. He leads by example,” said Cunningham.

Brumfield will be back inside along with sophomore Riley Kazee (5-10, 200) who “had a good year as a freshman. He gets us lined up well.”

Cunningham said Brumfield is a special defensive player who added 25 pounds to his frame this season.

“He’ll still be the same player he was last year when he was our second leading tackler,” said Cunningham.

Other candidates are Williams and Sam Warden.

OUTSIDE LINEBACKER Schmidt and Taylor could be the starters with Slone seeing some playing time and possibly Leep.

SECONDARY The secondary has three returning starters with Stitt at cornerback along with Sowards and Hunt in the

mix. Sophomore Gabe Williams (5-7, 130) could also play.

West returns at safety with sophomore Rhiyder Slone (5-8, 130) and Taylor the backups.

“Stitt is as solid as they come,” said Cunningham.

“Reilley Sowards, Gavin Hunt and Gabe Williams will play a lot at cornerback.”

Cunningham said West is the team’s quarterback in the secondary.

“Teams dictate a lot of our coverages. It’s great to have a kid like Brennan out there who you know you can give the keys to and just walk away. You know he’s going to make the right adjustments and right calls,” said Cunningham.

KICKING GAME Freshman Blake Sammons is expected to be the punter and Cunningham said “he does a really good job.”

The placekicker will be junior Emma Marshall who will spend much of her time running for the girls’ cross country team.

“I’ve never seen a person who didn’t know how to do something and taught herself how to do something and now she’s doing it well.

It’s all her,” said Cunningham.

“It’s something that happened as a joke. We were talking about kicking and she watched video on how to kick. She started doing it and the question became real. She was fine with it. There’s not a day you drive by that she’s not out there working on her craft.”

Hunt can also do punting and placekicking.

OHIO VALLEY CONFERENCE Although the consensus favorite is Ironton, Cunningham said it will be a strong league from top to bottom.

“Ironton is going to be the best team in the OVC. But the OVC is so competitive. Rock Hill and Gallipolis will be good and (Portsmouth running back) Talyn Parker can win games by himself,” said Cunningham.

Marshall

FOOTBALL 2019

15

Members of the 2019 Ironton Fighting Tigers’ football team are: front row from left to right, Tanner Moore, Hunter Moore, Eli Carter, Cole Freeman, Trevor Carter, Anthony Kirk, Tayden Carpenter, Landen Wilson, Miles Thomas, Terrell Mize, C.J. Martin, Ben Taylor and Aiden Young; second row left to right, Bryce Munioin, Dalton Crabtree, Gunnar Crawford, Hunter Eaches, Will York, Owen Ison, Ashton Silva, Kameron Browning, Blake Murrell, Isaac Fisher, Uriah Meadows and Lincoln Barnes; third row from left to right, Evan Wilds, Rocky White, Dylan Carpenter, Avery Book, Cameron Deere, Izsak Unger, Colin Freeman, Richard Thompson, Austin Linn, Nolan Schreck, Lucas White, Jordan Grizzle, Gage Salyers and Caleb Brown; fourth row from left to right, Junior Jones, Matthew Davis, Riley Boggs, Ryan McClain, Beau Brownstead, Ashton Duncan, Caden McFann, Kyle Howell, Jacob Sloan, DeAngelo Weekly and Derek Neal; fifth row from left to right, Jacquin Young, Chase Stevens, Braxton Pringle, Trent Hacker, C.J. McCall, Seth Fosson, Reid Carrico, Nate Cochran, Noah Davidson and Ryan Cecil. (Kent Sanborn of SouthernOhioSportsPhotos.com)

Depth will be the key for Fighting Tigers Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

When a team has nearly 70 players, one would think there is a lot of depth.

Well, there is.

The Ironton Fighting Tigers are

in just such a position this season as they look to improve on last year’s 6-5 record that gave them a second-place tie with Portsmouth in the Ohio Valley Conference and a Division V playoff appearances.

“Honestly, the strength of our team is depth all around. We’re going deep

at every position right now. We’ve got the three running backs and we’ve got Cameron Deere, Beau Brownstead, Junior Jones getting thrown in there a little bit,” said second year head coach Trevon Pendleton.

PLEASE SEE “DEPTH,” PAGE 16

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FOOTBALL 2019

Depth CONTINUED FROM PAGE 15 “Gunnar Crawford will be at fullback some, Kameron Browning is getting some reps (at tailback) and Dalton Crabtree is another guy who can step in back there.

“We’re rotating about eight or nine deep on the offensive line right now.

Defensively, we’re rotating guys at a lot of different positions. We’ve got a lot of competition among ourselves and its making all our kids better.”

Pendleton said things are running smoother in his second year which helps considering the large numbers.

“Obviously, your first year you’ve got a lot of ups and downs, kinks, working out new things. The second year the kids understand our expectations, our assistant coaches understand our expectations, we know the kids better and they know us better,” said Pendleton.

“Everything kind of transitions smoother. They’re picking up our offense and defense a lot smoother. A lot of talk, a lot of communication figuring things out. We’re way ahead of where we were last year at this point.”

The depth and experience parlayed with the presence of Ironton’s backfield trio of quarterback Gage Salyers, fullback Seth Fosson and tailback Reid Carrico has Ironton thinking of a deep run in the postseason.

Pendleton is not fazed by all the hype.

“The expectations are always high here. When you’ve got a program like this and the guys who come before you had success the

way they had, it keeps the standards very high,” said Pendleton.

“Our expectations as a team are always the same.

We’re going to go out and try to win every football game. We’re going to compete until the final whistle.

We always have the expectations that no one is going to outwork us.”

Carrico (6-3, 225) is only a 16-year-old junior but has a who’s who list of offers from what seems every Division I program in the country including Ohio State, Notre Dame, Clemson, Alabama, Texas, Michigan, Florida, Wisconsin, Ohio, Kentucky and Marshall.

Carrico is listed as the No.11 linebacker by Rivals and the No. 34 linebacker nationally, first in Ohio and the No. 3 overall prospect in Ohio by 247Sports.

Pendelton said not only has Carrico handle the attention but the team has as well. “(Carrico) is a very mature kid. He’s very humble. It hasn’t changed his demeanor or anyone’ on the team’s demeanor at all.

Our goal is the individual stuff will come and take care of itself. Our goal is all team focus and team oriented and they’ve done a great job at that,” said Pendleton.

QUARTERBACK Salyers (6-1, 205) has given a verbal commitment to Youngstown State but has continued to draw interest from other schools.

Last season, Salyers was 61-of-123 passing for 917 yards and 12 touchdowns and only three interceptions.

PLEASE SEE “IRONTON,” PAGE 18

Fosson

Salyers

Carrico

McFann

Grizzle

Davidson

Freeman

Brownstead

Deere

Crabtree

Crawford

White

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Schedules of Interest 25 31 7 14 21 28 5 12 19 26

23 30 6 13 20 4 11 18 25 1

Russell Red Devils August at Greenup County IRONTON, Ohio September at Ashland BOYD COUNTY WEST CARTER at Fleming County October PENDLETON COUNTY LEWIS COUNTY at Bath County at Raceland Ashland Tomcats August at Knox Central BOYD COUNTY September GEORGE WASHINGTON. at Wheelersburg, Ohio IRONTON, Ohio October RACELAND, Ky. at East Carter, Ky. at Russell, Ky. GREENUP COUNTY November at Spring Valley, W.Va.

Wheelersburg Pirates August 30 at Ironton September 6 BISHOP HARTLEY 13 ASHLAND, Ky. 20 at Greenup County, Ky. 27 at Jackson October 4 at Minford# 11 at Oak Hill# 18 WAVERLY# 25 at Lucasville Valley# November 1 PORTSMOUTH WEST# #-Denotes SOC game

7:30 7:30 7:30 7:30 7:30 7:30

Hacker

Howell

Jones

Cochran DEFENSE

8:00 7:30 7:30 7:30

S

CB

S

29 Grizzle 8 York

20 Howell 31 Browning

7:30 7:30 7:30 7:30 7:30

Schreck

Boggs

ILB

25 Freeman 10 Hacker

ILB

28 Carrico 45 Carpenter

OLB

CB

7 Salyers 20 Howell

8 Brownstead 36 Crawford

OLB 30 Deere 85 Munion

33 Crabtree 24 Duncan

7:30 7:30 7:30 7:30

DE

NG

36 Crawford 76 Cochran

22 Jones 78 Cecil 65 White

DE 44 Fosson 52 Davis

7:30

OFFENSE WR 293 Lorem Grizzleipsum 10 dolor Hackersitam 28 Lorem ipsum dolor sitam

LT

LG

76 Cochran 64 Schreck 78 Cecil

70 Boggs 55 Eaches

C 63 White 57 McFann 54 McClain

QB FB 44 30 8 2

Fosson Deere Brownstead Jones

7 Salyers 5 York Sloan

DISCOUNT

RG

RT

57 McFann 52 Davis 61 Stevens

RB 28 Carrico 31 Browning 33 Crabtree

79 Davidson 57 McFann 61 Stevens

TE 24 Duncan 8 Brownstead 85 Munion

WR 25 Freeman 20 Howell

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FOOTBALL 2019

Ironton CONTINUED FROM PAGE 16 Clocked at 4.58 seconds in the 40-yard dash, Salyers also ran 101 times for 531 yards and eight TDs. The backup will come from junior Will York (5-11,170) and sophomore Jacob Sloan (6-0, 180).

RUNNING BACK Fosson (6-1, 235) and Carrico give Ironton not only a one-two punch running the ball but they do it with size, speed and strength.

Another player attracting the attention of some Division I schools, Fosson is a two-time first team all-district and All-Ohio player.

He was third team AllOhio as a sophomore running back but his carries were limited last season and he was honored as a defensive end. As a sophomore, Fosson averaged 9.6 yards a carry.

Carrico ran for 1,256 yards and 14 touchdowns last season. He averaged 6.6 yards a carry and also caught nine passes for 120 yards and a score in earning first team all-district honors and special mention All-Ohio.

Junior Jones (6-0, 240) played at Ashland last season and was strictly a defensive player.

However, Pendleton said Jones will get a chance to play some at fullback along with senior Beau Brownstead (6-0, 22).

Sophomore Kameron Browning 5-11, 170) is an excellent runner and a capable backup to Carrico.

TIGHT END Several players are locked in a battle for the tight end position including Brownstead, sophomore Ashton Duncan

(6-2, 205) and senior Bryce Munion (5-9, 150) “Another one of our position battles. Senior Bryce Munion played some last year. Beau Brownstead has got some practice time along with Ashton Duncan,” said Pendleton. “(Duncan) has grown quite a bit this year. He’s a big body kid, really athletic kid who does a lot of good things.”

WIDE RECEIVER Senior Jordan Grizzle (5-10, 190) is a returning starter and heads up the receiving corps. Senior Colin Freeman (6-0, 170) was a starter on defense but saw action on offense as well.

Also, back is junior Trent Hacker (6-2, 175) who played extensively last season and joining them will be junior transfer Kyle Howell (5-10, 170) who was at Portsmouth West.

“We return Grizzle, Freeman played a lot, Trent Hacker has made leaps and bounds (of improvement).

Kyle Howell transferred to us who is a really athletic player. He’s got some twitch and a lot of wiggle to him. He’ll probably play slot receiver and cornerback,” said Pendleton.

OFFENSIVE LINE Junior Rocky White (5-11, 235) returns at center but he has been slowed by an injury. Pendleton said White is expected back before the start of the season.

As a returning starter, Pendleton said “he’s a guy who understands the offense and makes all the right calls.”

Senior Caden McFann (5-11, 250) is a returning starter and versatile player that should help solve any problems on the offensive

line.

Senior Hunter Eaches (5-10, 245), junior Matthew Davis (6-0, 210) and returning starter at guard Riley Boggs (6-2, 260) are all looking to play guard.

“Caden McFann is a guy we bounce around. He’s played all positions – tackle, guard and center. He knows the offense inside and out. He’s another guy who’s not going to have any missed assignments.

He’s going to do the right thing,” said Pendleton.

“We’ve still got a lot of position battles still going on. We haven’t had a set line one day throughout camp one day this year.

Eaches, Boggs, Matt Davis are getting most of the reps.”

PLEASE SEE “TIGERS,” PAGE 21

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FOOTBALL 2019

IRONTON FIGHTING TIGERS FOOTBALL ROSTER No. Player 2 Junior Jones 3 Braxton Pringle 5 Will York 6 Caleb Murphy 7 Gage Salyers 8 Beau Brownstead 9 Jacob Sloan 10 Trent Hacker 12 Avery Book 13 Kayden Sherrill 20 Kyle Howell 21 Richard Thompson 22 Brent Gist 24 Ashton Duncan 25 Colin Freeman 26 Isaac Fisher 28 Reid Carrico 29 Jordan Grizzle 30 Cameron Deere 31 Kameron Browning 33 Dalton Crabtree 36 Gunnar Crawford 37 Uriah Meadows 44 Seth Fosson

Pos. FB-NG WR-S QB-S WR-S QB-S FB-LB QB-S WR-CB WR-K WR-S WR-S RB-CB WR-S TE-LB WR-CB WR-S RB-LB WR-LB RB-LB RB-CB RB-LB FB-LB WR-S FB-DE

Ht. 6-00 6-01 5-11 6-02 6-01 6-00 6-00 6-02 5-11 5-11 5-10 5-10 5-09 6-02 6-00 5-10 6-03 5-10 5-11 5-11 5-10 5-10 5-50 6-01

Wt. 240 165 170 175 205 220 180 175 180 150 170 180 170 205 170 160 225 190 185 170 190 225 145 235

Gr. Sr. So. Jr. So. Sr. Sr. So. Jr. Sr. Jr. Jr. Sr. So. So. Sr. Jr. Jr. Sr. Jr. So. Jr. Jr. Jr. Sr.

45 Dylan Carpenter TE-LB 46 Blake Murrell TE-LB 50 Ashton Silva G-DT 51 Owen Ison G-DT 52 Matthew Davis G-DE 54 Ryan McClain C-NG 55 Hunter Eaches G-DT 56 Jacquin Young G-NG 57 Caden McFann C-NG 61 Chase Stevens G-DT 62 Evan Wilds G-LB 63 Rocky White C-DT 64 Nolan Schreck G-DT 65 Lucas White G-DT 70 Riley Boggs T-DT 71 Landon Waddle G-DT 74 Hayden Harmon T-DT 75 C.J. McCall T-DT 76 Nate Cochran T-DT 78 Ryan Cecil T-DT 79 Noah Davidson T-DT 82 Izsac Unger PK 85 Bryce Munion TE-LB 88 Michael Mahlmeister PK Head coach: Trevon Pendleton

6-00 5-11 5-09 5-11 6-00 5-11 5-10 5-08 5-11 5-11 5-10 5-11 6-00 5-11 6-02 5-11 6-00 6-01 6-02 6-01 6-05 5-10 5-09 6-01

200 200 200 190 210 250 245 180 250 210 180 235 230 220 260 225 250 310 250 270 315 155 150 175

Jr. So. Jr. Jr. Jr. Jr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Jr. So. Jr. Sr. Sr. So. So. Jr. So. So. So. Sr. Sr. Sr. So.

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Tigers

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 18 At tackle, Ironton has several options including McFann. Massive senior Noah Davidson (6-5, 310) was a starter the past two years at Raceland before coming to Ironton and should man the strong side.

The other position is a battle between sophomores Nate Cochran (6-2, 250) and Ryan Cecil (6-1, 270), junior Chase Stevens (5-11, 210) and senior Nolan Schreck (6-0, 230).

“Chase Stevens has been a huge surprise. He’s an athletic kid. We’ve got some guys coming back who are doing a great job.

Nolan Schreck didn’t play last year and came back out this year and has done a great job. He’s made some

huge improvements,” said Pendleton.

On the defensive side, Pendleton sees more competition and a commitment to the team motto.

“Our motto around here is nobody is going to outwork us,” said Pendleton.

DEFENSIVE LINE Ironton will use a base 3-4 front and adjust to opponents’ offenses.

Cochran played a lot at nose guard last season and Pendleton said “he’s a strong kid, athletic, can run. Ryan Cecil can play there. Another guy who came on last year was (senior) Lucas White (5-11, 220).”

Fosson will be the returning starter at the strong side end with junior Gunnar Crawford (5-10, 225) on the other side.

Jones will find a spot at nose guard or end. He was a starter at Ashland and

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Head Coach: Trevon Pendleton (6-5, 2nd year at Ironton and overall)

Assistant Coaches: Merril Triplett, Jerrod Pendleton, Brian Bowling, Trent Carpenter, Daniel Murphy, Terry Miller, John Prior, Joe Young, Dustin Barrow, Dan Pride, Jarrod Smith, Tim Collins.

Key Returnees: Ethan Duncan, Brady Rowe, Hunter Humphreys, Ayden Barnes, Brycen Thomas, Gage Salyers, Seth Fosson, Jordan Grizzle, Rocky White, Hunter Eaches, Reid Carrico, Cameron Deer, Gunnar Crawford, Riley Boggs, Nate Cochran, Caden McFann, Ryan McClain.

Key Losses: Ethan Duncan, Brady Rowe, Hunter Humphreys, Brycen Thomas, Ayden Barnes.

2018 Record: 6-5 (5-2 OVC, tied 2nd) Offense: Pro I, Spread, Multiple Defense: 4-4, Multiple Returning Offensive Starters: 7 Returning Defensive Starters: 9 will be tough for opposing defenses to block.

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CONTINUED FROM PAGE 21 Ironton lost first team All-Ohio linebacker Ethan Duncan who is now at Georgetown, but Carrico will move inside. His running mate will come from Brownstead, Crawford or junior Dylan Carpenter (6-0, 200).

“Obviously, we have Reid Carrico who moves from outside to inside this year.

Dylan Carpenter came back out. He’s doing great things.

Beau Brownstead and Crawford will play some,” said Pendleton.

Hard-hitting junior Cameron Deere (5-11, 185) has added size and strength as he returns on the outside.

The other outside linebacker will come from either Ashton Duncan, Crabtree or Munion.

“Deere, Duncan and Crabtree can all play.

Crabtree started at the Will. He’ll be rotating with Duncan and Munion will play some. We’re really interchangeable,” said Pendleton.

SECONDARY Ironton returns three starters in the secondary with Salyers and Grizzle at safety and Freeman at cornerback.

The other corner will be Browning or Howell.

“Browning and Howell have done tremendous things for us,” said Pendleton.

KICKING GAME Ironton has depth at placekicker with the return of senior Izsak Unger who will be joined by senior Avery Book.

“Avery Book has done a great job. He’s been working with a kicking coach for several years. Our other

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kickers have made leaps and bounds. It’s a good battle to have,” said Pendleton.

“Book can also punt and Crawford kicked some last year.”

OVC There is a consensus around the league that there’s not much different in the eight teams.

Pendleton would agree and then some.

“There’s becoming more parity around the area. Lots of teams are doing things that fit their strengths,” said Pendleton who added the fact Ironton faces Wheelersburg, Russell and Ashland along with the league schedule.

“Those first few weeks of the season are going to be crucial for us. It’s going to be how fast we start and just the type of energy we’re able to come out with and that will kind of set the tone for the rest of our season.

2018 Results

Linebacker

FOOTBALL 2019

2019 Schedule

22

Ironton Fighting Tigers August 24 at Wheelersburg 7:00 31 at Russell, Ky. 7:30 September 7 at Fairland# 7:00 14 ASHLAND, Ky. 7:00 21 SOUTH POINT# 7:00 28 CHESAPEAKE# 7:00 October 5 at Rock Hill# 7:00 12 COAL GROVE# 7:00 19 GALLIPOLIS# 7:00 26 at Portsmouth# 7:00 #-Denotes OVC game Head coach: Trevon Pendleton Ironton Fighting Tigers Ironton 6 Wheelersburg Ironton 16 Russell, Ky. Ironton 41 Fairland Ironton 7 Ashland, Ky. Ironton 62 South Point Ironton 48 Chesapeake Ironton 47 Rock Hill Ironton 21 Coal Grove Ironton 33 Gallipolis Ironton 28 Portsmouth D5 PLAYOFFS Ironton 7 Johnstown Record: 6-5 (5-2 OVC)

28 7 23 14 13 27 13 12 36 35 15

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2019 Schedules SOC I Ports. Notre Dame Titans August 30 RACINE SOUTHERN September 6 ACAD. of URBAN SCHOLARS 14 at Fisher Catholic 20 FAYETTEVILLE 27 GREENUP COUNTY, Ky. October 5 NORTHWEST# 11 at Green# 18 BEAVER EASTERN# 24 at Symmes Valley# November 1 at Sciotoville East# #-Denotes SOC game Sciotoville East Tartans August 30 WATERFORD September 6 MANCHESTER 13 LATHAM WESTERN 20 OPEN 27 SYMMES VALLEY October 4 BEAVER EASTERN# 11 at Northwest# 18 at Symmes Valley# 25 GREEN#

November 1 PORTS. NOTRE DAME# #-Denotes SOC game Northwest Mohawks August 30 at Southeastern September 6 GREENFIELD McCLAIN 13 CHILLICOTHE HUNTINGTON 20 at Oak Hill 27 LUCASVILLE VALLEY October 4 at Ports. Notre Dame# 11 SCIOTOVILLE EAST# 18 at Green# 25 at Beaver Eastern# November 1 SYMMES VALLEY# #-Denotes SOC game Beaver Eastern Eagles August 30 at Paint Valley September 6 CHILLICOTHE HUNTINGTON 13 SOUTHEASTERN 20 at Manchester 27 GREENFIELD McCLAIN October 4 a Sciotoville East#

of Interest

11 SYMMES VALLEY# 18 at Ports. Notre Dame# 25 NORTHWEST# November 1 at Green# #-Denotes SOC game SOC II Lucasville Valley Indians August 29 at Portsmouth September 6 at Coal Grove 13 PIKETON 20 at Circleville 27 at Northwest October 4 OAK HILL# 11 at Waverly# 18 PORTSMOUTH WEST# 25 WHEELERSBURG November 1 at Minford# #-Denotes SOC game Ports. West Senators August 30 at Columbus KIPP September 6 PORTSMOUTH 13 at Coal Grove

20 at Wellston 27 at Raceland, Ky. October 4 WAVERLY# 11 MINFORD# 18 at Lucasville Valley# 25 OAK HILL# November 1 at Wheelersburg# #-Denotes SOC game Minford Falcons August 30 ROCK HILL September 6 at Chesapeake 13 at Greenup County, Ky. 20 WILMINGTON 27 at East Clinton October 4 WHEELERSBURG# 11 at Portsmouth West# 18 OAK HILL# 25 at Waverly# November 1 LUCASVILLE VALLEY# #-Denotes SOC game Oak Hill Oaks August 30 at Chesapeake

eber’s W

September 6 FAIRLAND 13 ROCK HILL 20 NORTHWEST 27 at Nelsonville-York October 4 at Lucasville Valley# 11 WHEELERSBURG# 18 at Minford# 25 at Portsmouth West# November 1 WAVERLY# #-Denotes SOC game Waverly Tigers August 30 ATHENS September 6 at Zane Trace 13 CHILLICOTHE UNIOTO 20 at Fairland 27 AMANDA-CLEARCREEK October 4 at Portsmouth West# 11 LUCASVILLE VALLEY# 18 at Wheelersburg# 25 MINFORD# November 1 at Oak Hill# #-Denotes SOC game

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FOOTBALL 2019

Lucas comes home to take Hornets’ reins Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

COAL GROVE — Four years ago, Jay Lucas left Coal Grove and ended up as the Wellston head coach.

But when the Hornets’ job opened up again last spring, Lucas couldn’t resist the lure to come back to his alma mater.

“It’s good to be home. I’m thankful for the opportunity. I feel very blessed to be with this group of guys.

This is a really good group of kids. They have worked exceptionally hard this year and I’m hoping the season turns out good for them,” said Lucas.

The Hornets were 4-6 last season and lost some key personnel. But Lucas is cautiously optimistic about the season.

“We feel good about the kids we have. Obviously, this is not the same group of kids they had last year.

Some of the guys they had are definite losses, but as always has been the case, you go with the next man up and we feel good about the kids we have,” said Lucas.

When other coaches talk about Coal Grove being an unknown, Lucas dismisses the talk and just wants to focus on what his team can do.

PLEASE SEE “LUCAS” PAGE 25

QUICK HITTER

Head Coach: Jay Lucas (0-0 at Coal Grove, first season; 16-24 and overall, fifth season)

Assistant Coaches: Dave Lucas, Nick Miller, Alex Bare, Blaine Fuller, Nick Bazell, Nathan McKnight, Jordan Lucas.

Key Returnees: Austin Stormes, Cory Borders, Austin Stapleton, Reece York, Ben Compliment, Justin Castle, Colten Sparks, Jeremiah Rice, Christian Workman, Kye Robinson.

Key Losses: Nate Harmon, Evan Holmes, Kyle Sites, Aaron Music, Seth Little, Jaylen McKenzie.

2018 Record: 4-6 (3-4 OVC, fourth) Offense: Wing-T, Spread, Multiple Defense: 4-4, Multiple Returning Offensive Starters: 8 Returning Defensive Starters: 6

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FOOTBALL 2019

25

Members of the 2019 Coal Grove Hornets’ football team are: front row from left to right, Logan Short, Chris Lowe, John Turner, Brayden Wilson, Nate Woodyard, Landon Webb, Elias Bazell, Dustin Lunsford and Chase Hall; second row left to right coaches Nick Basell and Alex Bare, Clay Ferguson, Jarren Hicks, Graham Hanshaw, Logan Sizemore, Justin Newcomb, Andrew Fields, Landon Johnson, Malachai Wheeler, Perry Kingery, Brad Wheeler, Steve Easterling, Dylan Goad, coaches Dave Lucas and Jordan Lucas; third row left to right, coach Nathan McKnight, Justin Hicks, Reece York, Elias Bazell, Austin Stormes, Cory Borders, Ethan Short, Joe Abrams, Jeremiah Rice, Colton Sparks, Austin Stapleton and coach Blaine Fuller; fourth row left to right, coach Nick Miller, Joe Pommell, Trey Hunt, Kye Robinson, Tucker Meadows, Ben Compliment, J.C. Damron, Chris Wilson, Morgan Schultz and head coach Jay Lucas. (Tony Shotsky of SouthernOhioSportsPhotos.com)

Lucas CONTINUED FROM PAGE 24 “I don’t know we’re ever the sleeper. We feel we can compete with anyone on our schedule and I feel we just have to go out and execute,” said Lucas.

The son of Hall of Fame coach Dave Lucas who had a legendary career at Coal Grove, the younger Lucas plans to keep the system he learned and incorporate some other standards.

“We’ll be in our wingback set and the spread some and

move the ball around. The game’s changing a little bit and we feel we have athletes so we’ve got to get them in position to make plays,” said Lucas.

They lost some guys from the team last year and almost all the guys from the year before. We do have a few pieces of the puzzle who are back. I kind of know what those guys can do. I like our speed. I think we have good speed.

“The key for us is how we come together. Coach (Bob)

Lutz always used to talk that the best players don’t always make the best team. The best teams are the ones that win most of the time. I feel good about our pieces, but now will they come together.”

QUARTERBACK Two-year starting quarterback Nate Harmon is now at Georgetown after throwing for 1,066 yards and running for 527 last season.

But he has a more than ample replacement with senior Cory Borders (5-10, 170) who will be

backed up by sophomore Clay Ferguson (5-11, 170).

Sophomore Malachi Wheeler (5-8, 155) could also see some playing time.

“Borders has been a great leader and he’s done a really good job,” said Lucas.

RUNNING BACKS Junior veteran fullback Austin Stapleton (5-10, 225) ran for 686 yards and six touchdowns last season as he averaged nearly seven yards a carry.

PLEASE SEE “RUNNING BACKS,” PAGE 26

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CONTINUED FROM PAGE 25 Stapleton played last year but he may play some tailback. Junior Trey Hunt (5-10, 210) also started last year at inside linebacker and is expected to get some carries.

Senior Austin Stormes (5-11, 175) looks to take over for Kyle Sites at tailback and he will be joined by Wheeler.

“Both those kids have look good in practice,” said Lucas.

“We’ll put Stapleton back there from time to time and let him carry the mail.”

The wingbacks will come from the running backs.

“Justin Hicks has been working there some, Wheeler has been working there and we’ve got a pretty good group back there in the backfield who are interchangeable and we feel we can move them around,” said coach Lutz.

“We feel like we can move the ball on the ground. We’ve got good backs. I feel confident with that line of scrimmage we’re but going to have to be more versatile. And get our athletes the ball in position to make a play in space.”

RECEIVERS Senior Ethan Short got extended playing time last season and sophomore Perry Kingery (6-0, 170) has stepped up his game this season to take the upper hand on the end positions. Others in the mix include sophomore Jarren Hicks and Joe Abrams.

OFFENSIVE LINE Lucas said a plus for the Hornets this season is depth

and experience on the offensive line.

“In the line of scrimmage, we have a little depth there so we have some good competition there as well,” said Lucas.

Senior Kye Robinson (6-0, 220) is a returning starter at center but is being pushed by junior Jeremiah “Bullfrog” Rice (5-10, 210).

“Robinson is a returning starter but Bullfrog has done a really good job and he’s definitely in the running to play some there,” said Lucas.

Junior Ben Compliment (6-2, 240) has started the past two seasons at every position on the offensive line and looks to be a guard this season. Seniors Justin Castle (5-9, 220) and Reece York (5-9, 245) — returning starters — are both working at guard along with Logan Sizemore.

Senior Colton Sparks (6-0, 215) heads up the tackle position and Lucas said “he’s doing a really well.”

Junior Tucker Meadows (6-4, 255) is another candidate and Lucas said “he’s a big kid, an aggressive kid and I think he’s going to help us.”

Also in the mix are Robinson and junior Chris Wilson (5-9, 250).

York, Compliment and Castle can all play tackle if needed.

DEFENSIVE LINE There’s experience and depth on the defensive front.

York, Castle and Stapleton all played last year and will be joined inside by Wilson, Rice and Sparks.

The ones who don’t play tackle can move to end and join Short and Kingery as candidates.

“We’ll be moving guys in and out based on formation,” said Lucas.

LINEBACKERS Stormes and Hunt are both back on the inside. Lucas said Compliment may go from the defensive line to standing up.

“We’re trying to see what (Compliment) can do there,” said Lucas.

Wheeler and Short will both see some playing time at linebacker.

“We feel good about all those guys playing in there.

They’re interchangeable right now. They can go inside or outside. They’re playing well right now,” said Lucas.

SECONDARY Gone from the secondary is third team All-Ohio defensive back Aaron Music who made big plays along with clutch plays. But as far as Lucas can see, the well isn’t exactly dry.

PLEASE SEE “SECONDARY,” PAGE 27

2018 Results

Running Backs

2019 Schedule

26

Coal Grove Hornets August 30 RIVER VALLEY September 6 LUCASVILLE VALLEY 13 PORTSMOUTH WEST# 20 at South Point# 27 CHESAPEAKE# October 4 at Portsmouth 11 at Gallipolis# 18 IRONTON# 25 FAIRLAND# November 1 at Rock Hill# #-Denotes OVC game

7:30 7:00 7:00 7:00 7:00 7:00 7:00 7:00 7:00 7:00

Coal Grove Hornets Coal Grove 47 at River Valley Coal Grove 21 Lucasville Valley Coal Grove 14 Ports. West Coal Grove 55 South Point Coal Grove 28 Chesapeake Coal Grove 36 Portsmouth Coal Grove 20 Gallipolis Coal Grove 12 Ironton Coal Grove 13 Fairland Coal Grove 7 Rock Hill Record: 4-62 (3-4 OVC)

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FOOTBALL 2019

27

Secondary

DEFENSE S

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 25 Lucas said the candidates are Borders, Justin Hicks, Jarren Hicks, Wheeler, Ferguson and Abrams.

“Music was a great player and he’s a hard guy to replace. And (Kyle) Sites was a starter and he’s at KCU. So, we’re trying to replace those guys,” said Lucas.

“But Borders is back there, Justin Hicks and Jarren Hicks are back there, Clay Ferguson is back there and he’s playing really well. So, there are some pieces there, we just have to settle on a combination and go with it.”

KICKING GAME The signing of Evan Holmes with Walsh University signified loudly that both the placekicking and punting positions were open for the Hornets.

“Evan was the punter and kicker, but this year

S

4 Ju. Hicks 5 Ja. Hicks

3 Border 14 Ferguson 2 Wheeler

LB

LB

22 Hunt 2 Wheeler

CB 14 Ferguson 2 Wheeler

LB

58 Compliment 10 Stormes

DE

DT

53 York 84 Kingery

56 Castle 60 Wilson

10 Stormes 51 Short

DT

CB 5 Ja. Hicks 14 Ferguson

DE

30 Stapleton 70 Sparks

51 Short 62 Rice

OFFENSE WR SE

RT

84 Lorem Kingeryipsum 24 dolor Abrams sitam Lorem ipsum dolor sitam

LG

50 Meadows 57 Robinson 53 York

53 York 56 Castle

C 57 Robinson 62 Rice

TB 10 Stormes 30 Stapleton 2 Wheeler

RG 58 Compliment 54 Sizemore

RT

TE

70 Sparks 60 Wilson 56 Castle

51 Short 5 Ja. Hicks

QB FB 30 Stapleton 22 Hunt

WB

3 Borders 10 Ferguson 2 Wheeler

4 Ju. Hicks 2 Wheeler 10 Stormes

PLEASE SEE “KICKING,” PAGE 33

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COAL GROVE HORNETS FOOTBALL ROSTER 2019 Coal Grove Hornets Football Roster No. Player Pos. Ht. Wt. 1 Morgan Schultz RB-DB 5-07 150 2 Malachai Wheeler RB-DB 5-08 155 3 Cory Borders QB-DB 5-10 170 4 Justin Hicks RB-DB 6-02 170 5 Jarren Hicks OL-DB 6-01 160 7 J.C. Damron OL-DB 6-02 170 8 John Turner OL-DB 5-08 140 9 Braylen Stuntebeck RB-DB 5-11 150 10 Austin Stormes RB-DL 5-11 175 12 Andrew Fields OL-DB 5-09 150 14 Clay Ferguson QB-DB 5-11 170 15 Nate Woodyard RB-DB 5-08 145 20 Justin Newcomb OL-DL 5-10 150 21 Chase Hall RB-DB 5-08 155 22 Trey Hunt RB-DL 5-10 210 23 Landon Johnson RB-DL 5-08 150 24 Joe Abrams RB-DB 6-02 170 27 Brayden Wilson RB-DL 5-08 145 30 Austin Stapleton RB-DL 5-10 225 32 Ethan Short OL-DL 6-01 170 33 Joe Pommell RB-DL 5-08 140

Gr. Jr. So. Sr. Sr. So. Jr. Fr. Fr. Sr. So. So. Fr. Fr. Fr. Jr. So. Sr. Fr. Jr. Sr. Jr.

34 Dylan Goad 35 Graham Hanshaw 44 Steve Easterling 50 Tucker Meadow 51 Logan Short 52 Brad Wheeler 53 Reece York 54 Logan Sizemore 55 Elias Bazell 56 Justin Castle 57 Kye Robinson 58 Ben Compliment 60 Chris Wilson 62 Jeremiah Rice 63 Dustin Lunsford 68 Justin Newcomb 70 Colten Sparks 71 Chris Lowe 72 Ty Byrne 75 Landon Webb 84 Perry Kingery Head coach: Jay Lucas

RB-DL RB-DL OL-DL OL-DL OL-DL OL-DL OL-DL OL-DL OL-DL OL-DL OL-DL OL-LB OL-DL OL-DL OL-DL OL-DL OL-DL OL-DL OL-DL OL-DL OL-DL

5-09 5-08 5-09 6-04 5-10 5-10 5-09 5-10 5-08 5-09 6-00 6-02 5-09 5-10 5-09 5-10 6-00 6-00 5-11 5-09 6-00

145 140 165 255 170 190 245 170 155 220 220 240 250 210 185 160 215 220 175 165 170

So. So. So. Jr. Fr. Fr. Sr. So. Fr. Sr. Jr. Jr. Jr. Jr. Fr. Fr. Sr. Fr. Fr. Fr. So.

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FOOTBALL 2019

Members of the 2019 Green Bobcats football team are: front row from left to right, Devin Hossfeld, Troy Otworth, Mason Hensley, Seth Imes, Trevor Darnell, Caleb Derifield, Will Imes and Ethan Carpenter; second row from left to right, Ethan Hayslip, Lonnie Smith, Ricky Nash, D.J. Barker and Logan Waddel; third row from left to right, Austin Dyer, Levi Waddel, Kaleb Lafollette, Tyler Blanton, Chaise Lavender, Joe Galligher and Austin Ray; fourth row from left to right, coaches Zach Swain, Cody Sloas, manager Max Newsome, head coach Ted Newsome, and coach Andrew Derifield. (Kent Sanborn of SouthernOhioSportsPhotos.com)

Bobcats working hard to keep winning Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

FRANKLIN FURNACE — It was 28 years ago since the Green Bobcats had a winning record when they went 6-4 under coach Kevin Sheridan.

Last season the Bobcats were 8-3 and qualified for the Division VII playoffs.

This group of Bobcats doesn’t want to wait another 28 years for a winning season. In fact, they’d like to have back-to-back winning seasons for the first time since the unbeaten teams of 1989-90 under coach Dan McDavid.

Sixth-year head coach Ted Newsome said his team is not taking anything for granted despite having plenty of returning starters.

“They’ve been through the good times and they’ve been through some rough

times. It helped build their character and they know the level of toughness that’s required,” said Newsome.

“The main thing I’m most proud of is their consistent leadership they bring every day. They’re just a bunch of blue collar guys. They really are just hard-working group of guys who go out and play football and aren’t in it for the glory or their name in the paper.”

Newsome hopes that the experienced veterans and eight seniors will help the Bobcats achieve success this season.

“We have eight seniors and six of them have started since they were freshmen, so they’ve been battle tested. They’ve seen it all. They’ve seen fire and rain,” said Newsome.

PLEASE SEE “WINNING,” PAGE 31

Darnell

Smith

QUICK HITTER

W. Imes

S. Imes

Head Coach: Ted Newsome (17-34 overall and at Green, sixth season) Assistant Coaches: Andy Derifield, Cody Sloas, Zach Swain.

Key Returnees: Lonnie Smith, Troy Otworth, Trevor Darnell, Caleb Derifield, Mason Hensley, Seth Imes, Will Imes, Ethan Hayslip.

Key Losses: Mackie Kingery, Tyler Roberts, Bryce Ponn, Steve Smith, James Laber, Garrett Daniels.

2018 Record: 8-3 (4-2 SOC, second) Offense: Veer, Multiple Defense: 50, Multiple Offensive Starters Returning: 6 Defensive Starters Returning: 6

FOOTBALL 2019

31

Winning CONTINUED FROM PAGE 30 “They’re taking a very mature approach to this. No big-headed, no expectations and just think they can just show up and have success.

They’ve really put the work in.”

OFFENSIVE LINE The loss of Steve Smith and James Laber who were four-year starters is tough to replace, but the Bobcats still have four starters returning up front.

“By the end of the year we had a freshman come along and he was able to get some time for us,” Newsome said of Ethan Hayslip (6-0, 280).

“He started five games for us.”

The other returning starters are seniors Seth Imes (6-3, 270), Will Imes (6-3, 290) and Mason Hensley (6-8, 255), all four-year starters.

“Few teams have that kind of experience. We lean on those guys,” said Newsome.

“Those are the guys who are going to take us where we want to go.”

A newcomer to the offensive line is sophomore Joe Galligher (6-1, 280).

Senior Ethan Carpenter (6-0, 200) was a tight end last season but will shift to tackle and Newsome said “there’s always that one kid

Derifield

Hensley

Otworth Carpenter

Barker

Galligher DEFENSE

SS

FS

16 L. Waddel 11 Hossfeld

13 Otworth 1 Dyer

OLB

MLB

25 Derifield 4 Lo. Waddel

CB 16 Lafollette 3 Ray

DE 51 Carpenter 72 Galligher

OLB

8 Barker 55 Lavender

DT 54 S. Imes 66 Hayslip

9 Smith 1 Dyer

DT

CB 22 Darnell 3 Ray

DE

65 W. Imes 66 Hayslip

50 Hensley 74 Nash

OFFENSE WR

LT

163 Lafollette 11 Hossfeld 281 Dyer

51 Carpenter 72 Galligher

LG

C

50 Hensley 54 S. Imes

RB 4 Lo. Waddel 16 Lafollette

66 Hayslip 65 W. Imes 50 Hensley

QB FB 9 Smith 4 Lo. Waddel

22 Darnell 9 Smith

RG 54 S. Imes 65 W. Imes

RT

TE

65 W. Imes 51 Carpenter

25 Derifield 8 Barker

WR 13 Otworth 3 Ray 5 Le. Waddel

PLEASE SEE “BOBCATS,” PAGE 32

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FOOTBALL 2019

GREEN BOBCATS ROSTER 2019 Green Bobcats Football Roster No. Player Pos. Ht. Wt. 1 Austin Dyer WR-S 6-00 160 3 Austin Ray WR-CB 5-07 140 4 Logan Waddel WB-LB 5-08 180 5 Levi Waddel WR-S 5-07 140 8 D.J. Barker TE-LB 5-08 175 9 Lonnie Smith RB-OLB 6-03 210 11 Devin Hossfeld WR-S 6-04 200 13 Troy Otworth WR-S 6-03 175 16 Kaleb Lafollette WR-CB 6-00 165 22 Trevor Darnell QB-CB 5-09 170 25 Caleb Derifield TE-OLB 6-00 215 50 Mason Hensley OL-DL 6-08 255 51 Ethan Carpenter OL-DL 6-00 200 52 Tyler Blanton OL-DL 5-08 200 54 Seth Imes OL-DL 6-03 270 55 Chaise Lavender OL-LB 5-09 200 65 Will Imes OL-DL 6-03 290 66 Ethan Hayslip OL-DL 6-00 280 72 Joe Galligher OL-DL 6-01 280 74 Ricky Nash OL-DL 5-10 250

Gr. So. So. So. Fr. Jr. Jr. Sr. Sr. So. Sr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Fr. Sr. Fr. Sr. So. So. Jr.

Bobcats 2019 Schedule 2018 Results

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 32 Green Bobcats August 30 CINCINNATI DOHN 7:00 September 6 CIN. PREP ACADEMY 7:00 13 at Manchester 7:00 20 FEDERAL HOCKING 7:00 27 at Fairview, Ky. 7:30 October 4 at Symmes Valley# 7:00 11 PORTS. NOTRE DAME# 7:00 18 NORTHWEST# 7:00 25 at Sciotoville East# 7:00 November 1 BEAVER EASTERN# 7:00 #-Denotes SOC game Green Bobcats Green 54 West Union Green 86 Hannan, W.Va. Green 34 West Union Green 16 Sciotoville East Green 22 Symmes Valley Green 8 Notre Dame Green 55 Manchester Green 34 Eastern Green 16 Northwest Green 12 Oak Hill D7 PLAYOFFS Green 8 Harvest Prep Record: 8-3 (4-2 SOC)

14 14 0 8 15 16 0 14 7 44 42

who surprises you every summer, that kind of steps up and does more than you thought he was going to be able to do. Ethan’s been that pleasant surprise.”

QUARTERBACK Senior Trevor Darnell (5-9, 170) returns at quarterback and his offseason conditioning is paying dividends.

“We’re still a physical football team. We’re still an option football team. We’re going to be spread out a lot more,” said Newsome.

“We’ve got a three-back backfield with Darnell back there.

He’s kind of the overlooked guy as far as the running game goes. He’s probably our fastest player now. He’s throwing the ball really well. His leadership is outstanding. Guy has been a captain since his sophomore year.”

PLEASE SEE “GREEN,” PAGE 33

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FOOTBALL 2019

Green

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 32 RUNNING BACK Junior Lonnie Smith (6-3, 210) led the team in rushing last season and will also serve as the backup quarterback.

“Lonnie’s the workhorse.

He’s as good of a two-way player as there is in this part of the state. On both sides of the ball, he’s very dynamic,” said Newsome.

“He’s a great running back. A lot of what we do on both sides of the ball, we make sure Lonnie Smith is in a position to help us win He’s definitely our bell cow.”

Sophomore Logan Waddell (5-8, 180) will also be in the backfield and Newsome said “he has a lot of potential. He’s very strong lower body. He has very good vision when he runs. He’s a good match back there with Lonnie. It’s a good one-two punch.”

ENDS Like Darnell, senior tight end Caleb Derifield (6-0, 215) has been a captain for the Bobcats since his sophomore season. Junior D.J. Barker (5-8, 175) will also see action at tight end.

The wide receivers will come from senor Troy Otworth (6-3, 175) and sophomore Kaleb

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Kicking Lafollette (6-0, 165).

DEFENSIVE LINE Hensley and Carpenter will be the ends with Hayslip and both Will and Seth Imes rotating at tackle.

LINEBACKERS Smith was the SOC I Defensive Player of the Year last season and Newsome said “as a sophomore, that’s an impressive thing to do.”

He will be joined on the outside by Derifield to form a formidable tandem.

“A lot of coaches would be happy bringing back two first team all-district kinds on your defense. We structure our defense so those guys in position to make plays,” said Newsome.

“Derifield is the guy who gets our motor running.”

Barker returns at inside linebacker and will be joined by Waddel when the Bobcats need two linebackers inside.

SECONDARY Otworth is the free safety and a four-year starter.

Darnell and Lafollette will be the corners.

“We lost speed. Mackie Kingery was the guy who kept us from giving up big plays,” said Newsome.

“I feel like our front eight.

They’re physical and pretty tough. I think we’ll have a good pass rush. The secondary has some work to do.

We’ve just got a lot of inexperience back there.”

KICKING GAME Smith will handle the punting again as well as the placements.

SOC The Bobcats are considered a possible favorite in the Southern Ohio Conference, but Newsome deflected that kind of talk.

“The situation we’ve found ourselves in here our numbers have never been really good, so we’ve always taken a one day at a time approach to it. They kids have learned to be flexible and to shift gears. They know the next day they may have to be playing left guard instead of right tackle or I might have to be playing wide receiver instead of tight end,” said Newsome.

Actually, Newsome said the league is going to be a “meat grinder” and won’t rule out and of the five teams.

Newsome said the team who wins the league will be the team “with the team who can finish the season with the most parts still working. Most of us are going to be in the same boat between 20 and 30 kids and the one team who can stay the healthiest and get it going the soonest in league play will be the team who can pull it out.”

33

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 27 we were blessed to get J.C. Damron to come down here from Ironton St. Joe. He’s a kid who lives in town and he’ll be handling a lot of the kicking duties for us,” said Lucas. “Borders can kick as well.”

Stormes did some punting last year behind Holmes and should take over those duties and he will be backed up by John Turner and Justin Newcomb.

OHIO VA L L E Y CONFERENCE Even though he was at Wellston last season, Lucas keeps a close eye on teams in all conferences, especially the Ohio Valley Conference.

Lucas expects the league will be very competitive from top to bottom.

“The conference is balanced. Obviously, Gallipolis winning it last year, Portsmouth has got speed and they’ve got the Parker kid who’s tough as nails.

Ironton has most of their kids back,” said Lucas.

“Fairland is going to have a good team. Rock Hill could be good. They have a bunch of kids back.

Chesapeake is going to be good. South Point is going to be improved. Every team is going to be good.”

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Panthers CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8 There is another trio at the tight end spot with sophomore Justice Hutchison (6-3, 225), senior Luke Shields (5-9, 165) and junior Blake Thompson (5-10, 190).

“All three guys are improving daily with their blocking assignments and they’re running good routes and can catch the ball,” said Knipp.

OFFENSIVE LINE There is plenty of experience up front thanks to the afore mentioned injury problem last season.

Back at center is sophomore Alec Dement (5-10, 215) who took over in the second quarter of the first game.

“He’s gotten bigger, he’s more experienced, he’s a football smart kid, he knows the game and knows our line calls,” said Knipp.

Sophomore R.J. Ward is the right guard and will be the backup center. The left guard is sophomore Nick Burns (6-0, 270) who started nine games before an injury the final game.” “(Burns) is a big strong kid,” said Knipp.

Sophomores Zack Stepp (511, 190) and Cody Bragg (5-9, 175) are the backups.

Junior J.T. Henry (5-10, 255) is the left tackle and huge senior Dakota Hess (6-1, 365) will cast a large shadow on defenders at the right tackle.

“Both are returning starters and good drive blockers.

They get off the ball well and get into people. Our run game will be as good as they block,” said Knipp.

The backups will be junior Hunter Blackburn (6-2, 275) and sophomore Bryce Mount (6-1, 260) who Knipp said are younger guys but “they’re really starting to come on.”

DEFENSIVE LINE Blackburn and Henry lead a plethora of defensive tackles. Hess will be the strong

FOOTBALL 2019 side end and Shields will be on the other side.

Knipp said that Burns, Hutchison and Mount are all in the mix.

“We have a lot of guys we can rotate in there and we don’t have too much of a drop off,” Knipp said.

LINEBACKERS Inside linebackers will be Dement and Ward and Knipp said both are “young and learning the position.

They’re physical, they’re both eager, and they’re very aggressive.”

On the outside will be Logan Walsh and Todd.

Walsh is a three-year starter and Todd started last year.

“We have some speed there, both are pretty aggressive and good tacklers,” said Knipp.

SECONDARY Nida and Richendollar will be the cornerbacks with Sentz, Hicks and Ferguson the backups. Harless is the safety with Best his backup.

“We have some speed back there. We should be able to cover some ground,” said Knipp.

KICKING GAME Senior Brady Wilson (5-8, 155) looks to be the kicker with sophomore Lucas Shepherd (5-7, 130) pushing for some opportunities.

“Both guys have pretty strong legs,” said Knipp.

OVC Knipp sees a wide-open race in the conference.

“Ironton has the most back.

Right now, they’ve got to be the frontrunner. But Gallia is the champ until you knock them off. Portsmouth has the best playmaker (Talyn Parker) in the league,” said Knipp. “Rock Hill has everybody back. Fairland is getting better every year. Jay and Dave (Lucas) will have them rolling again at Coal Grove. South Point has numbers. Our goal is to compete, play hard and give ourselves an opportunity at the end of the ball game.”

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FOOTBALL 2019

35

Portsmouth plans to rely on team speed Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

PORTSMOUTH — The baseball trading deadline was at 4 p.m. on July 31. On Aug. 1, the high school football preseason was officially underway.

Looking at the Portsmouth Trojans roster from last season to this year, one might think second-year head coach Bruce Kalb was very active at the trading deadline.

With the graduation of 11 seniors who had plenty of size and linemen, the Trojans appear to have traded size for speed this season.

“We’ve got our two wide receivers coming back.

Granted, we probably threw the ball an average seven times a game, but when you’ve got someone like

Parker in the backfield you like blocking for him. Why throw that much?” said Kalb with a grin.

“My thing is speed kills.

I tell (assistant coach) Bo Mayo our defensive coordinator, outside of our two defensive tackles, I want the fastest guys on the team playing defense,” said Kalb.

The 5-foot-11, 195-pound muscular Parker has drawn interest from a lot of Division I schools including an offer from Toledo, the alma mater of his father, JoJo Parker.

Parker ran for more than 2,500 yards last season and scored 29 touchdowns as Portsmouth went 6-5 including a second-place finish in the Ohio Valley Conference and a playoff berth in Kalb’s first season as a head coach.

PLEASE SEE “SPEED,” PAGE 37

QUICK HITTER

Head Coach: Bruce Kalb (6-5, second year at Portsmouth and overall)

Assistant Coaches: Bo Mayo, Gerald Cadogan, Nate Cadogan, John Walker, Dave Malone.

Key Returnees: Taylyn Parker, Colin Boehm, Parker Johnson, Danny Lattimore, Tanner Queen, Michael Duncan, Stefan Johnson, Ty Pendleton, Zach Wagner, Chris Jenkins, Tyriek Carr, Bryson Morrow, Bryce Wallace.

Key Losses: Daniel Jordan, Deante Parker, Reese Johnson, Isaac Kelly, Jeremiah Ellis, Logan Carter, Zach Kinney, D.J. Pearsall, Jaden Josey, Cody Spencer, Ryan Sutherland, Anthony Ferrara, Gabe Gambill.

2018 Record: 6-5 (5-2 OVC, tied second) Offense: Pro, Slot, Multiple Defense: 4-4, Multiple Returning Offensive Starters: 3 Returning Defensive Starters: 3

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FOOTBALL 2019

Members of the 2019 Portsmouth Trojans football team are: front row from left to right, Seth Porter, Tanner Queen, Jairemiah Brown, Mason Shepherd, Austin McKenzie, Ty Pendleton, Tyler McCoy, Shad Duckett, Chris Jenkins, Eugene Johnson, KaDen Davis, Eric Purdy, Bryce Wallace and Talyn Parker; second row from left to right, Chris Duff, Michael Duncan, Christian Keys, Rex Smith, JaQuan Pearsall, Chance Tener, Hayden Yerardi, Dariyonne Bryant, Donavon Carr, Drew Roe, Alberto Poxes, Sethe Perry and Trey Williams; third row from left to right, Noah Carver, Codey Brumfield, Nolan Heiland, Reade Pendleton, Tyler Duncan, Beau Hammond, Brock Maitiq, Caden Scott, Preston Mays, Ethan Wallace, Curtis Kearns and Jesse Mitchell; fourth row left to right, coaches John Walker, Sean Sturgill, Gerald Cadogan, head coach Bruce Kalb, Nate Cadogan, David Malone, Alex Grashel, Jalen Kennedy, Bo Mayo and equipment manager Mark Aeh. (Kent Sanborn of SouthernOhioSportsPhotos.com)

2018 Results

2019 Schedule

DEFENSE Portsmouth Trojans August 29 LUCASVILLE VALLEY September 6 at Portsmouth West 13 RIVER VALLEY 20 at Rock Hill# 27 at Gallipolis# October 4 at Coal Grove# 11 CHESAPEAKE# 18 at Fairland# 25 SOUTH POINT# November 1 at Ironton# #-Denotes OVC game Head coach: Bruce Kalb

FS

CB 7:00 7:00 7:30 7:00 7:00 7:00 7:00 7:00 7:00

2 Wallace 11 Johnson

LB

LB

21 Keys 22 Poxes

OLB 9 Purdy 4 Carr

35 McCoy 58 Yerardi

DE 13 Davis Brown 10

7:00

Portsmouth Trojans Portsmouth 57 Lucas. Valley Portsmouth 0 Ports. West Portsmouth 35 River Valley Portsmouth 28 Rock Hill Portsmouth 7 Gallipolis Portsmouth 34 Coal Grove Portsmouth 55 Chesapeake Portsmouth 35 Fairland Portsmouth 40 South Point Portsmouth 35 Ironton D5 PLAYOFFS Portsmouth 0 Madison Record: 6-5 (5-2 OVC)

CB

40 Pendleton 20 Johnson

12 Duff 3 Bryant

DT 53 Shepherd 55 Pearsall 54 Smith

OLB 1 Parker 4 Carr

DT 51 McKenzie 62 Porter 54 Smith

DE 24 Jenkins 62 Porter

OFFENSE 40 13 7 14 34 36 39 20 7 28 26

WR

LT

9 Lorem Purdy ipsum 3 dolor Bryantsitam Lorem ipsum dolor sitam

57 Brown 53 Shepherd

LG 54 Smith 53 Shepherd

RB 1 Parker 40 Pendleton

FB 35 McCoy 40 Pendleton

C 60 Queen 55 Pearsall

RG 51 McKenzie 55 Pearsall

RT 62 Porter

TE 24 Jenkins 40 Pendleton

QB

WR

14 Duncan 5 Roe

2 Wallace 12 Duff

FOOTBALL 2019

Speed

37

PORTSMOUTH TROJANS FOOTBALL ROSTER

2019 Portsmouth Trojans Football Roster No. Player Pos. Ht. Wt. Gr. “Parker had a phenome1 Talyn Parker RB-DB 5-11 195 Sr. nal year last year with his 2 Bryce Wallace WR-DB 6-02 155 Sr. legs,” said Kalb.

3 Dariyonne Bryant WR-DB 6-01 148 So. RUNNING BACK 4 Donavon Carr RB-DB 5-08 162 So. Talyn Parker. Enough 5 Drew Roe QB-DB 5-06 135 So. said.

7 Nolan Heiland WR-DB 5-50 135 Fr. But senior fullback Tyler 9 Eric Purdy WR-DB 5-08 153 Sr. McCoy (5-8, 208) was an integral part of the offense 10 Mylan Brown TE-DE 5-10 184 Jr. by blocking for Parker 11 Amare Johnson 5-04 126 So. and getting some key car- 12 Chris Duff WR-DB 5-09 135 Jr. ries for clutch yardage as 13 KaDen Davis RB-DE 5-07 160 Sr. defenses eyes Parker.

“McCoy is a weapon,” 14 Michael Duncan QB-DB 6-0 180 Jr. 16 Jayvon Zurborg RB-DB 5-04 141 So. said Kalb.

Backups will be led by 17 Reade Pendleton WR-DB 5-03 25 Fr. QB-DB 5-07 118 Fr. senior Ty Pendleton (5-11, 18 Tyler Duncan 194) who will spell either 19 Beau Hammond RB-DB 5-07 128 Fr. Parker or McCoy. Experienced, Convenient, and Personalized Care for 20 Eugene Johnson WR-DB 6-0 153 Sr. “He’s even versatile 21 Christian Keys FB-LB 5-06 156 Jr. enough improving the quality of life for you and your family. to spell Chris 22 Alberto Poxes FB-LB 5-08 200 So. Jenkins at tight end,” said 23 Brock Maitiq WR-DB 5-03 110 Fr. Kalb.

24 Chris Jenkins TE-DE 5-10 209 Sr. PLEASE SEE “TROJANS,” PAGE 43 25 Shad Duckett TE-DB 5-09 165 Sr. CONTINUED FROM PAGE 35

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28 Brenden Truett RB-LB 5-04 144 Fr. 32 Sethe Perry TE-LB 6-00 185 So. 35 Tyler McCoy FB-LB 5-08 208 Sr. 40 Ty Pendleton TE-DB 5-11 194 Sr. 50 Caden Scott OL-DL 6-01 204 Fr. 51 Austin McKenzie OL-DL 5-07 217 Sr. 52 Trey Williams OL-DL 5-06 191 So. 53 Mason Shepherd OL-DL 5-05 198 Sr. 54 Rex Smith OL-DL 5-09 193 Jr. 55 JaQuan Pearsall OL-DL 5-07 200 Jr. 56 Chance Tener OL-DL 5-04 214 Jr. 57 Jairemiah Brown OL-DL 5-10 193 Sr. 58 HaydenYerardi OL-LB 5-11 182 Jr. 59 James Thurman OL-LB 5-05 165 So. 60 Tanner Queen OL-DL 6-02 224 Sr. 62 Seth Porter OLDL 5-11 225 Sr. 71 Noah Carver OL-DL 6-01 307 So. 72 Preston Mays OL-DL 5-06 145 Fr. 80 Codey Brumfield WR-DB 5-07 134 So. 81 Ethan Wallace TE-DE 5-07 154 Fr. 82 Curtis Kearns OL-DL 5-09 145 Fr. 99 Jesse Mitchell TE-DE 6-01 190 Head coach: Bruce Kalb

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38

FOOTBALL 2019

Members of the 2019 Rock Hill Redmen football team are: front row from left to right, Kordell French, Skyler Kidd, Brock Friend, Chanz Pancake, Deven Long, Mikey Pemberton, Blake Waulk and Chase Delong; second row left to right, Brice Schob, Brayden Friend, Tucker Carpenter, Tristan Delong, T.J. French, Zak Adkins, Logan Hankins, Ethan McClaskey, T.J. McGinnis, Adam Rhodes, Tristan Marshall and Hunter Blagg; third row left to right, Hayden Harper, Brady Bramblett, Jacob Schwab, Lane Smith, Zane Albright, Andrew Medinger, Andrew Clark, Brayden Malone, Owen Hankins, James Knipp, Joe Pierce and Kaleb Blevins; fourth row left to right, David Bailey, Trenton Williams, Hunter Massie, Drake Smith, Ethan Bevins, Noah Burton, Jonathan Spurlock, Justin McKee, Anthony Ison, Garrin Yates, David Jenkins and Landon Harper. (Courtesy of Tim Gearhart)

Redmen have experience but lack depth Jim Walker jim.walker@irontontribune.com

PEDRO — The Rock Hill Redmen have new uniforms this season. They’re really nice but they’re nothing fancy.

Sounds like their offense.

The three yards and a cloud of dust T-formation will continue to pound on opponents this season and possibly with even more success with players who are bigger and much stronger.

“We were able to move the ball on teams and control the clock. We stopped ourselves. We had a penalty here and a penalty there or a turnover,” said Redmen third-year head coach Mark Lutz.

A big, strong line and

plenty of experience in the backfield have Lutz cautiously optimistic about the season.

“This is a balanced team this year, but I do think some of the things we’re going to be able to do offensively are going to be a plus,” said Lutz.

“Ball control and our line is going to be a strength for us. We’ve got four back who are back from last year plus we have a couple of backups who got some playing time and experience which helps.”

OFFENSIVE LINE The center position will be between veterans senior Ethan McClaskey (6-0, 217) or junior Jacob Schwab (6-2, 239).

PLEASE SEE “DEPTH,” PAGE 40

QUICK HITTER

Head Coach: Mark Lutz (7-13, third season at Rock Hill and overall)

Assistant Coaches: Brian Kidd, Joe Sark, Craig Harvey, Jarrod Keaton, Red Burcham, Tyler Kratzenberg, Jason Kidd, Joe Bowman, Trey Wilds, Nick Culbertson, Ryan Walker.

Key Returnees: Logan Hankins, Zak Adkins, T.J. McGinnis, Ethan McClaskey, Brayden Friend, Hunter Massie, Andrew Clark, T.J. French, Hayden Harper, Jacob Schwab, Tristan Delong, Tucker Carpenter, T.J. French, James Knipp, Brayden Malone.

Key Losses: Dylan Branam, David Grant, Wyatt Brammer, Jake Blevins, Quinn Depriest, Victor Aguilera, Tyler Fields.

2018 Record: 3-7 (2-5 OVC, tied for fifth) Offense: T-formation, Multiple Defense: 50, Multiple Offensive Starters Returning: 8 Defensive Starters Returning: 6

Rock Hill MEN IN RED

2019

40

FOOTBALL 2019

Depth CONTINUED FROM PAGE 38

McGinnis L. Hankins

Delong

Carpenter

“Whichever one isn’t playing there is going to start at guard,” said Lutz.

The strong side guard will be senior Tristan Delong 5-10, 311) with either McClaskey or Schwab the other guards.

“When you’re running behind Delong who is an excellent lineman, and you’ve got McClaskey and Carpenter who all started last year, it’s not going to be any surprises what we’re going to do,” said Lutz.

The tackles are not lacking size with senior Tucker

Carpenter (6-4, 279) and senior T.J. French (5-10, 324).

Delong could move to tackle which would mean either senior Tristan Marshall (5-10, 268) or sophomore Brice Schob (5-8, 206) would then move into a guard position.

The Redmen had size and some experience, but depth is a concern.

“The big thing with the offensive line is the strength that they’ve gained the past two years.

We have several kids who are benching 300 pounds and up and we’re in better

shape,” said Lutz.

“Carpenter has been hurt the past couple of years and this is the first time he’s been able to go through a whole summer regime of getting in shape. He’s a load at 282 and he has good feet.

He’s a good player.”

ENDS Sophomore Owen Hankins (6-2, 190) will be on one side with either juniors Andrew Clark (6-2, 140), James Knipp (6-0, 165) or sophomore Brayden Malone (6-2, 185) on the other side.

PLEASE SEE “REDMEN,” PAGE 41

ROCK HILL DEPTH CHART DEFENSE

2018 Results

2019 Schedule

McClaskey

French

Rock Hill Redmen August 30 at Minford September 6 MEIGS 13 at Oak Hill 20 PORTSMOUTH# 27 at Fairland# October 4 SOUTH POINT# 11 at Ironton# 18 GALLIPOLIS# 25 at Chesapeake# November 1 COAL GROVE# #-Denotes OVC game Rock Hill Redmen Rock Hill 20 Minford Rock Hill 33 Northwest Rock Hill 29 Oak Hill Rock Hill 14 Portsmouth Rock Hill 35 Fairland Rock Hill 35 South Point Rock Hill 13 Ironton Rock Hill 20 Gallipolis Rock Hill 13 Chesapeake Rock Hill 25 Coal Grove Record: 3-7 (2-5 OVC)

S

S

12 Massie 83 Knipp

CB 7:00

LB

25 O. Hankins 83 Knipp

7:00 7:00 7:00 7:00

DE

21 Malone 88 Clark

29 Harper 36 McGinnis

NG

DT 74 Carpenter 78 French

CB

LB

57 McClaskey 3 L. Hankins

3 L. Hankins 75 Schwab

7:00 7:00 7:00 7:00

14 Friend 88 Clark

70 Marshall 52 Schob

DT 72 Delong 78 French

DE 36 McGinnis 75 Schwab

OFFENSE

7:00

WR TE 27 0 34 28 42 0 47 43 36 7

LT

83 Lorem Knipp ipsum 88 dolor Clark sitam Lorem ipsum dolor sitam

78 French 70 Marshall

LG

C

75 Schwab 57 McClaskey

57 McClaskey 75 Schwab

RB 24 Adkins 25 O. Hankins

QB FB 36 McGinnis 29 Harper

14 Friend 12 Massie

RG 72 Delong 52 Schob

RT

TE

74 Carpenter 70 Marshall

25 O. Hankins 21 Malone

RB 3 L. Hankins 21 Malone

FOOTBALL 2019

41

ROCK HILL REDMEN FOOTBALL ROSTER

Schwab

Marshall

Redmen CONTINUED FROM PAGE 40

“Owen has gotten bigger and he’s going to be good,” said Lutz.

QUARTERBACK Junior Brayden Friend (5-8, 170) is back with two years as the starter under his belt.

“Brayden has put on some weight and gotten stronger.

If you look at the times he ran the ball last year, he was

PLEASE SEE “QUARTERBACK,” PAGE 42

2019 Rock Hill Redmen Football Roster No. Player Pos. Ht. Wt. Gr. 2 Hunter Blagg RB-S-K 5-08 134 So. 3 Logan Hankins RB-CB 5-11 192 Sr. 4 Kordell French RB-CB 5-08 130 Fr. 5 Brayden Adams QB-S 5-07 120 Fr. 6 Deven Long RB-S 5-07 110 Fr. 7 Brock Friend B-CB 5-07 115 Fr. 10 Trenton Williams QB-S 5-09 153 Fr. 11 Brady Bramblett TE-DE 6-01 154 Jr. 12 Hunter Massie QB-S 5-08 160 Jr. 14 Brayden Friend QB-S 5-08 170 Jr. 15 Chanz Pancake E-E 5-08 135 Fr. 21 Brayden Malone RB-S 6-02 185 So. 24 Zac Adkins RB-S 5-10 188 Sr. 25 Owen Hankins RB-CB 6-02 190 So. 28 Drake Smith E-E 6-00 146 Fr. 29 Hayden Harper FB-LB 5-11 180 Jr. 30 Noah Burton FB-LB 5-11 180 Jr. 32 Skyler Kidd FB-LB 5-10 1800 Fr. 33 Chase Delong RB-CB 5-07 162 Fr. 36 T.J. McGinnis FB-LB 6-02 254 Sr. 51 Blake Waulk G-NG 5-06 166 Fr. 52 Brice Schob G-LB 5-08 206 So.

53 Mikey Pemberton G-NG 5-06 151 Jr. 54 Garrin Yates G-NG 5-10 218 Fr. 55 Landon Harper C-LB 5-08 222 Fr. 56 Zane Albright G-LB 6-02 205 So. 57 Ethan McClaskey C-DT 6-00 217 Sr. 58 David Jenkins G-DE 6-0 220 Fr. 60 Lane Smith T-DT 6-03 231 Fr. 65 Adam Rhodes G-LB 5-09 185 Sr. 66 Kaleb Bevins T-DT 6-00 202 So. 67 Ethan Bevins T-DT 6-00 260 So. 68 David Bailey T-DT 5-08 302 Jr. 70 Tristan Marshall G-DT 5-10 268 Sr. 72 Tristan Delong T-DT 5-10 311 Sr. 73 Anthony Ison T-DT 6-00 267 Fr. 74 Tucker Carpenter T-DT 6-04 279 Sr. 75 Jacob Schwab G-DT 6-02 239 Jr. 76 Justin McKee T-DT 5-11 257 Fr. 77 Jonathan Spurlock T-DT 6-00 293 Fr. 78 T.J. French T-DT 5-10 324 Sr. 79 Andrew Medinger T-DT 6-02 278 Fr. 83 James Knipp E-CB 6-00 163 Jr. 85 Joe Pierce E-DE 6-02 160 So. 88 Andrew Clark E-S 6-02 137 Jr. Head coach: Mark Lutz

Good luck to all area teams!

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42

FOOTBALL 2019

Malone

Clark

Redmen CONTINUED FROM PAGE 41

probably one of our best running backs. But, being a freshman and sophomore the past two seasons, we tried to protect him as much as we could because he’s also playing defense,” said Lutz.

“This year, we’re hoping to get him on the edge more and use him his athleticism. Instead of having him drop back, we’re going to have Brayden sprint out a bit. He’s not the tallest kid and sometimes that comes into play for him to be able to see. We’re telling him if there’s a lane open and he doesn’t see anything, take it and go.”

The backup will be in the capable hands of junior Hunter Massie (5-8,1 60).

“Hunter Massie played a few games last year when Friend was out and he did a good job as a fill-in,” said Lutz.

RUNNING BACKS The heart of the offense

Harper

Massie

lies in the backfield with all three backs returning starters.

Senior T.J. McGinnis (6-2, 254) is a big, strong, bruising runner who will be the fullback. A pair of seniors and three-year starters Logan Hankins (5-11, 192) and Zak Adkins (5-10, 188) will be the halfbacks in the T-formation.

“T.J.’s first two years were up on the line and last year we moved him to fullback. He’s the hardest worker we’ve got overall.

In four years, he’s never missed a summer workout, which is pretty impressive,” said Lutz.

“We have other kids who haven’t missed, but all the kids look up to (McGinnis).

This is a senior group that all the kids look to for leadership.”

Hankins had 919 yards on 141 carries last season, McGinnis — a converted lineman — ran 144 times for 809 yards despite two broken ankles the last six games of the season and Adkins carried 147 times for 775 yards.

Blagg

Knipp

“The backfield is our strength,” said Lutz.

“Adkins is bigger and stronger. Two years ago, he ran for 1,100 yards.

But like I told them, it’s different when you have three backs who are all splitting carries. We still ran for bunches of yards last year it was just split up between him, Hankins and McGinnis. All had 700 yards and above. And you throw in Friend who ran some options and sweeps.”

Hankins was injured the first game of his sophomore year and was out of shape when he returned last in the season. Healthy from start to finish last year, Hankins returned to the form that saw him run for 1,000 yards as a freshman.

“He’s a good athlete with good instincts running the ball. And a tough kid.

A lot of people think of him being an out in space runner, but he’ll go inside.

He’ll hit you. He likes it,” said Lutz.

Owen Hankins can also move to the backfield and

O. Hankins

Friend

Malone is another possible halfback.

DEFENSIVE LINE Carpenter and Delong will be the tackles with McGinnis and Logan Hankins the ends.

Delong or Carpenter will be the nose guard in an odd man front. Senior Tristan Marshall (5-10, 268) can play nose guard as well with Schob another option.

Schwab will be in the rotation as either a tackle or end. French can play tackle if the situation calls for more size.

LINEBACKERS McClaskey and junior Hayden Harper (5-11, 180) will be the inside linebackers with Logan Hankins and Adkins the outside linebackers.

Massie could be an outside linebacker and also play some cornerback.

SECONDARY Friend returns at safety and will be joined by Malone, Knipp, Massie and Clark at either cornerback or safety.

PLEASE SEE “ROCK HILL,” PAGE 44

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FOOTBALL 2019

Speed

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 37 “We have a guy in Ty Pendleton who can be an all-around player. He came in early last year in the Valley game and busted a 70-yard touchdown run.

When he’s called upon, he’s going to give you 100 percent.”

QUARTERBACK Junior Michael Duncan (6-0, 180) and sophomore Drew Roe (5-6, 135) are the main candidates for the vacant quarterback position.

“Both of them bring a unique set of skills to the table. It’s one of those things I wish I could put them in, shake them up and put them together,” said Kalb. “But until then, we’ll see who’s going to take the lead.”

ENDS

43 Senior Chris Jenkins (5-10, 209) gives the Trojans a solid player at tight end who can block and be a receiving threat.

“We took Chris Jenkins is well-built and played wide receiver and we moved him down to tight end this year. He’s going to be a weapon because he’s a good mismatch. He’s a fast kid, a big kid, he can block.

He’s just an athlete.”

“At the skilled positions, we feel confident that we’ve got some weapons that we’re going to utilize to take the pressure off Parker,” said Kalb. “Let’s be honest, if you’re scouting Portsmouth, you’re thinking I’m going to get eight, maybe nine, even if I can squeeze a tenth guy in the box, you have to keep him getting out.”

On the outside will be seniors Eric Purdy (5-8, 153) and Bryce Wallace

(6-2, 155) who are returning starters.

Depth will come from junior Chris Duff (5-9, 135) who has taken some snaps with the first unit and sophomore Dariyonne Bryant (6-1, 148) who Kalb said “he has great hands.”

“With Purdy, Wallace, Jenkins, McCoy with Parker, we’ll have enough to keep defenses guessing,” said Kalb.

OFFENSIVE LINE The Trojans biggest area of concern is on the offensive line where they lost four of the six starters, including tackle Colin Boehm.

The two returning linemen are seniors Tanner Queen (6-2, 224) at center and Austin McKenzie (-57, 217) at guard.

“We’re starting to fill in,” said Kalb.

Senior Seth Porter (5-11, 225) and senior Jairemiah Brown (5-10, 193) will be

the tackles and junior Rex Smith (5-9, 193) the other guard. Smith can move to center if needed.

Junior JaQuan Pearsall (5-7, 200) will spell McKenzie who also plays defense.

“Brown was a tight end we’ve converted to tackle because we liked the way he moved in space. He can pull for us. We like to run a counter now and then and he’s one who won’t have a problem getting there,” said Kalb.

Senior Mason Shepherd (5-05, 198) is mainly a defensive player but can fill-in at different spots on the offensive line, mainly at guard. All the guards can play center.

“It’s kind of like musical chairs, but we make sure we get as many of the older guys with varsity experience on the field,” said Kalb.

PLEASE SEE “KALB,” PAGE 44

44

Kalb

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 43 DEFENSIVE LINE Jenkins will be the strong side end with senior KaDen Davis (5-7, 160) going to the weak side in the 4-4 alignment.

“Davis is a track star.

He’s fast, he’s athletic, he’s strong. You’ve got to find a spot for a kid like that. Last year, we did that with Brian Carey-Knipp and he had a great year,” said Kalb.

Shephard and McKenzie will handle the tackle spots and be backed up by Smith, Porter and Pearsall.

Brown and Queen will be the backups at end.

FOOTBALL 2019 LINEBACKERS McCoy is back at the strong side linebacker but Kalb said the Will is up for grabs. Junior Christian Keys (5-6, 156) is the top candidate.

“Christian Keys has sort of seized that position. He was an outside linebacker last year and he saw a need inside and said he’d like to move in,” said Kalb.

Junior Hayden Yerardi (5-11, 182) is another possibility inside and a sophomore Alberto Poxes (5-8, 200) who Kalb said is “starting to make a little noise. He’s a big kid and he seems to be very instinctive at linebacker.”

Parker and Purdy are back on the outside and

Kalb said “they will anchor those spots pretty solid.

You can’t ask for a better tandem than that especially with Parker’s size and speed.”

Providing depth is sophomore Donavon Carr (5-8, 162) is a backup to both Parker and Purdy.

SECONDARY Wallace returns at one cornerback spot after a strong junior season. The loss of Steph Johnson has to be filled and Kalb said Duff, Bryant and sophomore Amare Johnson (5-4, 126) are battling for the position.

Pendleton will be the safety again and Kalb said “we can’t ask for a guy who runs the alley quite like Ty Pendleton. He come down-

hill and plays hard.”

Senior Eugene Johnson (6-0, 153) is a first-year player who reached the state track meet and has been taking a lot of reps at safety and corner.

“I wouldn’t be surprised to see him out there on Friday nights,” said Kalb.

KICKING The Trojans’ placekicker transferred to Portsmouth Clay to play soccer to create a void. Kalb said sophomore James Thurman (5-5, 165) “is ahead of the pack right now” to fill that position.

Jenkins will be the punter again.

“He’s stronger in the leg and last year he had some phenomenal punts. He’s a weapon for us.”

going to do some kicking,” said Lutz.

“Jake Schwab is going to do the punting and his backup will be Tucker Carpenter or Blagg. He’s only been out a few weeks, but technique-wise, he knows what he’s doing.”

OVC Lutz said Ironton is the favorite but the league is tough from top to bottom.

“The conference is going to be pretty impressive,” said Lutz. “Ironton has some kids who have already committed to colleges and they have colleges looking at them. You go down the river and Portsmouth has the Parker kid who’s lightning in a bottle waiting to explode.

“Chesapeake got some backs who can run. Gallia won the conference and they have a good scheme going. Fairland always has some athletes running around up there. South Point is making improvements and getting better. I like our chances if we can

keep everybody healthy and develop some backups.

That’s going to be the key for us.”

Rock Hill CONTINUED FROM PAGE 42 “Friend has played there for two years and he knows where everybody is supposed to be,” said Lutz.

“We’ve played good defense at times in the past two years. We’ve just had a few instances where guys have made a misstep or missed a tackle and we give up a big play, but our defense is going to be much improved. We’re ahead of the game right now than where we were the past two season in terms of practice.

If we make a call to change a defense, everybody knows where they’re going. In the past, trying to get everybody lined up was a problem.”

KICKING GAME Jasson Aguilera graduated and Brady Floyd plans to stick with soccer and cross country only this season which creates an opening for placekicker.

“Hunter Blagg is a soccer player who is going to come and out and do some kicking. Logan Hankins is

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FOOTBALL 2019

45

Members of the 2019 South Point Pointers’ football team are: front row left to right, Jeremy McMillian, Brandon Pierson, Chris Slash, Chance Gunther, Josh Rigney, Larry Fox, Ryan Fetty, Thomas Duna and Brody Thompson; second row from left to right, Bennett McCallister, T.J. Wong, Justin Collins, Alex Lambert, Nakyan Turner, Darryl Taylor, Bryson Hackworth, Kameron Hardy and Josh Jackson; third row from left to right, Dallas Turley, Trey Rutherford, Jordan Ermalovich, Erik Sloan, Jasiah Martin, Karl Klineman, Malik Pegram, Maddox McCallister and Luke Byrd; fourth row left to right, manager Zach Miller, Marice Long, Ethan Nicely, Taylor Smith, Peyton McFann, Isiah Runyon, Xavier Haney and manager Eli Hunt; back row coaches Bryan Hoover, Dave McCallister, head coach James Gifford, Chris Davis and Jay Hale. (Kent Sanborn of SouthernOhioSportsPhotos.com)

Depth main concern for Pointers’ Gifford Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

SOUTH POINT — The South Point Pointers have some skills. They also have some linemen.

But the one thing they don’t have that has second-year head coach James Gifford concerned can be summed up in one frightening word: depth.

“We’ve got a lot of potential playmakers, we’ve just got to stay healthy and see what happens,” said Gifford.

The depth at the skilled position, but lack of it on the line, is forcing Gifford to switch to a 3-5-3 defensive alignment.

“We’re thin at line and

we’ve just got a lot of skilled kids,” said Gifford.

“You say you run a 3-53, but you bring two linebackers up and it’s a 5-3.

Bring one guy up and blitz and now you’re in a 4-4.

So, it’s going to be several different looks.”

Despite being 0-10 last season, Gifford said the players have done a 180 degree turn as far as attitude.

“Last year, I wondered how many people liked football. Not to take away from the ones who loved it already. This year we had probably above 95 percent attendance all through the summer. Kids just weren’t missing,” said Gifford.

PLEASE SEE “CONCERN,” PAGE 46

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46

Concern CONTINUED FROM PAGE 38

Gunther

M.McCallister

Gifford

Fox

SOUTH POINT ROSTER No. Player 1 Chance Gunther 4 T.J. Wong 5 Maddox McCallister 7 Malik Pegram 8 Nakyan Turner 11 Darryl Taylor 12 Jordan Ermalovich 13 Alex Lambert 16 Justin Collins 18 Taylor Smith 20 Chris Slash 21 Walker Clay 22 Jasiah Martin 23 Josh Rigney 25 Austin Hunt 29 Peyton McFann 32 A.J. Lovejoy 33 Bryson Hackworth 35 Trey Rutherford 40 Brandon Pierson 41 Isiah Runyon 44 Jeremy McMillian 53 Grant Gifford 55 Thomas Duna 61 Marice Long 62 Dallas Turley 63 Karl Klineman 65 Xavier Haney 66 Luke Byrd 70 Bennett McCallister 75 Josh Jackson 76 Kameron Hardy 77 Ryan Fetty 78 Brody Thompson 81 Ethan Nicely 85 Larry Fox 87 Erik Sloan Head coach: James Gifford

Pos. WR-DB RB-LB RB-LB WR-DB RB-DB WR-DB QB-DB QB-LB K RB-LB RB-DB RB-LB WR-DB WR-DB TE-LB WR-DB RB-DB FB-LB WR-DB RB-LB WR-LB RB-LB OL-DT OL-DT OL-DL OL-DT OL-DT OL-LB OL-DE OL-DE OL-DT OL-DT OL-DL OL-DT TE-LB TE-DE WR-LB

Ht. 5-10 5-07 5-10 5-10 5-09 6-01 5-09 5-11 5-09 5-07 5-08 5-09 5-11 5-11 6-00 5-08 5-05 5-09 5-08 5-09 5-09 6-00 6-02 5-09 6-02 5-09 5-06 5-07 5-09 5-11 5-09 6-01 5-10 6-04 6-01 6-02 5-10

Wt. 150 130 165 150 145 165 145 170 185 160 150 170 165 150 180 135 135 195 140 195 160 200 265 200 240 185 185 160 170 225 295 245 190 330 150 220 175

Gr. Sr. Jr. So. So. Sr. Jr. Fr. So. Jr. Fr. Sr. Jr. So. Sr. So. Fr. Jr. So. Fr. Sr. Fr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Fr. Fr. So. Fr. So. Jr. Jr. Jr. Sr. Sr. Fr. Sr. Jr.

“The kids are starting to encourage parents to take their vacations at a different time. So just the whole attitude of football is really changing. We have 37 kids out this year and they’re working really hard.

During the schedule in July, we had used up our camp days, so I said we’re going to take three days off and they were organizing to come here on their own.

Just to see that kind of stuff is exciting.”

QUARTERBACK The quarterback will be sophomore Alex Lambert (5-11,170), who saw some starting time last year due to injuries, but grabs the reins from the start this season.

“As coaches, we knew he

FOOTBALL 2019

was going to be something special. He was a little under the radar. He has a work ethic that’s about like Blaine Scott who is playing at West Virginia now,” said Gifford who coached Scott at Sciotoville East.

Freshman Jordan Ermalovich will get a look but senior Chance Gunther — a returning starter at wide receiver — would be the early on backup.

“We’d have to change the offensive style a little bit,” said Gifford.

OFFENSIVE LINE They’re baaaack!

The entire offensive line is back led by senior right guard Grant Gifford (6-2, 265) who is the coach’s son and knows the assignments up front.

PLEASE SEE “POINTERS,” PAGE 47

FOOTBALL 2019

McMillian

Thompson

47

Hardy

Duna

Hackworth

Pointers

Rigney

B.McCallister DEFENSE

S

CB

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 46 Senior Brody Thompson (6-4, 330) returns at right tackle to give the Pointers size and strength.

Gifford said junior Bennett McCallister (5-11, 225) is “solid at center. He’s gotten stronger and grown a couple of inches.”

The left guard is veteran senior Thomas Duna (5-9, 200) with junior Kameron Hardy (6-1 245) at left tackle.

“Kameron played every game last year and he played everywhere. I’d say, ‘Kameron play guard, Kameron play tackle, Kameron play this’ and he’d never complain. He just did what you told him,” said Gifford.

Senior Ryan Fetty (5-10, 190) will provide versatile depth on the offensive line. He can play all three positions.

Sophomore Luke Byrd ((59, 170) could also be called upon for backup help.

Turner

23 Rigney 13 Lambert

7 Pegram 8 Turner

LB

LB

40 Pierson 21 Clay

OLB 21 Clay 25 Hunt

DE 55 Duna 53 Gifford

LB

33 Hackworth 40 Pearson

NG 77 Fetty 63 Klineman

44 McMillian 5 Fox

CB 1 Gunther 4 Wong

DE

OLB

70 McCallister 76 Hardy

85 Fox 5 McCallister

OFFENSE WR

LT

31 Lorem Guntheripsum 4 dolor Wongsitam 28 Lorem ipsum dolor sitam

76 Hardy 77 Fetty

LG 55 Duna 66 Byrd

RB 5 McCallister 20 Slash 8 Turner

C 70 McCallister 77 Fetty

QB RB 44 McMillian 40 Pierson 33 Hackworth

13 Lambert 1 Gunther 12 Ermalovich

RG 53 Gifford 77 Fetty

RT

TE

78 Thompson 76 Hardy

85 Fox 25 Hunt

WR 7 Pegram 11 Taylor

PLEASE SEE “SOUTH POINT,” PAGE 49

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FOOTBALL 2019

49

SOUTH POINT POINTERS South Point 2019 Schedule

Head Coach: James Gifford (25-18 overall, 5th season; 0-10 at South Point, 2nd season)

Assistant Coaches: Bryan Hoover, Chris Davis, Jay Hale, Dave McCallister Manager: Zach Miller, Eli Hunt. Trainer: Kristan Rigsby.

Stats: Tom Rayburn.

Key Returnees: Chance Gunther, Walker Clay, Grant Gifford, Thomas Duna, Brennett McCallister, Larry Fox, Maddox McCallister, Kameron Hardy, Brody Thompson, Josh Rigney, Malik Pelgram.

Key Losses: Joel Morrison, Brad Perry, Adrien Johnson, Marcus Malone, Seth Nicely.

2018 Record: 0-10 (0-7 OVC, eighth) Offense: Pro-I, Multiple Defense: 4-4, Multiple Offensive Starters Returning: 9 Defensive Starters Returning: 7

South Point Pointers August 24 PIKETON 7:00 31 at Miami Christian 7:30 September 7 at Alexander 7:00 14 COAL GROVE# 7:00 21 IRONTON# 7:00 28 at Rock Hill# 7:00 October 5 FAIRLAND# 7:00 12 at Chesapeake# 7:00 19 at Portsmouth# 7:00 26 GALLIPLIS# 7:00 #-Denotes OVC game Coach: James Gifford

2018 Results

QUICK HITTER

South Point Pointers So. Point 12 Ports. West So. Point 13 Boyd Co., Ky. So. Point 14 Alexander So. Point 14 Coal Grove So. Point 13 Ironton So. Point 0 Rock Hill So. Point 20 Fairland So. Point 14 Chesapeake So. Point 7 Portsmouth So. Point 0 Gallipolis Record: 0-10 (0-7 OVC)

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 47

“He’ put on 20 pounds and he’s getting betSOUTH POINT POINTERS ter. Fetty didn’t play last year but he’s doing

49 23 35 55 62 35 50 53 40 44

well and he can play about anywhere,” said Gifford. “(Offensive line) is where we’re thin. We’ve got a good line, but if one or two guys go down, we’re in trouble.”

ENDS Senior Larry Fox (6-2, 220) returns at tight end and not only a good blocker but a threat as a receiver. Sophomore Austin Hunt (6-0, 180) is the backup.

“Fox has size and experience and he’s got nice hands. He’s a weapon,” said Gifford.

Gunther (5-10, 150) was the team’s leading receiver last season and will be a major threat in the offensive scheme. Gifford calls him “a really good athlete.”

Sophomore Malik Pegram (5-10, 165) and junior Darryl Taylor (6-1, 165) will also get some time at wide receiver. Also in the mix is junior T.J. Wong (5-7, 130) whom Gifford said “will contribute this year.”

PLEASE SEE “ENDS,” PAGE 50

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Ends CONTINUED FROM PAGE 49 “Pegram is a great athlete and Darryl Taylor is ’s a great athlete. He’s really learning how to play that receiver spot,” said Gifford.

RUNNING BACKS There is a bevy of running backs led by by senior Jeremy McMillian (6-0, 200).

“We’re really excited about him. He’s been a great leader.

He’s going to be our main running back,” said Gifford.

Another major running threat will be sophomore Maddox McCallister (5-10, 165).

“McCallister has put on some weight. He can be a bigtime player,” said Gifford.

Senior Brandon Pierson (5-9, 195) joins the group in the backfield and Gifford said “he’s worked really hard in the off-season for us.”

Senior Chris Slash (5-8

FOOTBALL 2019 150) also figures into the picture at running back as does sophomore fullback Bryson Hackworth (5-9, 195) and senior halfback Nakyan Turner (5-9, 145).

“Honestly, skill-wise we have about four receivers we can put in at any time and we have about six running backs we can rotate around and not really miss a beat and we’re wanting to do that,” said Gifford.

“We want a nice rotation of offense and defense. We have 37 players but we feel like skill players we can almost platoon offense and defense.”

DEFENSIVE LINE Fetty figures to be the nose guard and he will share time with sophomore Karl Klineman (5-6, 185) who is a first-year player.

“He’s a short guy but last year he squatted over 500 pounds and benched almost 300. I think he placed third in the state powerlifting tournament,” said Gifford.

The ends should be Duna and Bennett McCallister.

“Basically, the whole offensive line is rotating as the defensive line,” said Gifford.

“It’s about keeping them fresh and we really don’t lose anything.”

LINEBACKERS The middle linebacker will be Hackworth with McMillian on the strong side and Pierson the weak side backer.

One of the outside linebackers will be junior Walker Clay (5-9, 170) who has been out but is expected back for the season opener.

Hunt will be the other outside backer with Maddox McCallister and Wong in the rotation mix.

SECONDARY Gunther is back at cornerback while senior Josh Rigney (5-11, 150), Pegram, Turner and Taylor all figure to play either corner or free safety.

Maddox McCallister can

play safety if he isn’t needed at linebacker.

KICKING GAME Junior Justin Collins (5-9, 185) is back to handle the placements with Fox the punter once a game. Pierson will be Fox’s backup.

“Collins has the leg to be really, really good. When we get inside the 20, we feel he can hit it,” said Gifford.

“Fox did a really good job last year. He averaged 37 yards a punt and he gets good hang time. He’s getting more consistent.”

OVC Gifford favors Gallipolis in the Ohio Valley Conference.

“The conference is going to be tough. It’s really balanced,” said Gifford. “You have to give Gallia the respect. They won it last year. Coach (Alex) Penrod does a great job but his wife is battling cancer and our prayers from South Point are with the family. What a great family.”

(See ROSTER on Page 51)

2018 All-OVC Team All-Ohio Valley Conference 2018 Football Team First Team Player, School Justin McClelland, Gallipolis Jacob Campbell, Gallipolis Lane “Boo” Pullins, Gallipolis Cade Roberts, Gallipolis Cory Call, Gallipolis James Armstrong, Gallipolis Reid Carrico, Ironton Brady Rowe, Ironton Hunter Humphreys, Ironton Gage Salyers, Ironton Seth Fosson, Ironton Talyn Parker, Portsmouth Colin Boehm, Portsmouth Brian Carey-Knipp, Portsmouth Bryson Morrow, Portsmouth Ty Pendleton, Portsmouth Joel Lambiotte, Fairland Michael Stitt, Fairland Blaine Cremeans, Fairland Kamren Harless, Chesapeake Dakota Hess, Chesapeake Austin Browning, Chesapeake

Aaron Music, Coal Grove Nate Harmon, Coal Grove Logan Hankins, Rock Hill Triston Delong, Rock Hill Joel Morrison, South Point Seth Nicely, South Point Honorable Mention Player, School Riley Starnes, Gallipolis Trentin Waller, Gallipolis Ethan Duncan, Ironton Brycen Thomas, Ironton Eric Purdy, Portsmouth Ben Lester, Portsmouth Reilly Sowards, Fairland Gavin Hunt, Fairland Dillon Lunsford, Chesapeake Will Todd, Chesapeake Kyle Sites, Coal Grove Austin Stapleton, Coal Grove T.J. McGinnis, Rock Hill Brayden Friend, Rock Hill Brody Blackwell, South Point Kameron Hardy, South Point Coach of the Year: Alex Penrod, Gallipolis

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FOOTBALL 2019

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SOUTH POINT ROSTER 2019 South Point Pointers Football Roster No. Player Pos. Ht. Wt. 1 Chance Gunther WR-DB 5-10 150 4 T.J. Wong RB-LB 5-07 130 5 Maddox McCallister RB-LB 5-10 165 7 Malik Pegram WR-DB 5-10 150 8 Nakyan Turner RB-DB 5-09 145 11 Darryl Taylor WR-DB 6-01 165 12 Jordan Ermalovich QB-DB 5-09 145 13 Alex Lambert QB-LB 5-11 170 16 Justin Collins K 5-09 185 18 Taylor Smith RB-LB 5-07 160 20 Chris Slash RB-DB 5-08 150 21 Walker Clay RB-LB 5-09 170 22 Jasiah Martin WR-DB 5-11 165 23 Josh Rigney WR-DB 5-11 150 25 Austin Hunt TE-LB 6-00 180 29 Peyton McFann WR-DB 5-08 135 32 A.J. Lovejoy RB-DB 5-05 135 33 Bryson Hackworth FB-LB 5-09 195

Gr. Sr. Jr. So. So. Sr. Jr. Fr. So. Jr. Fr. Sr. Jr. So. Sr. So. Fr. Jr. So.

Blue Devils look to defend OVC crown 3 COLOR

Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

GALLIPOLIS — Winning the league title was the good part. But with it brings every other team’s undivided attention.

The Gallipolis Blue Devils enjoyed a 9-2 season, a Division IV playoff appearance and captured its first Ohio Valley Conference football championship last season.

However, the Blue Devils suffered several key losses to graduation including four-year AllOhio starting quarterback Justin McClelland and All-Ohio linebacker Jacob Campbell.

And as the defending league champions, their game with other teams in 2 COLOR the conference will be circled in red to emphasize the idea of knocking off the defending champs.

Besides McClelland and Campbell, there were other key losses for the Blue Devils including running back and linebacker Boo Pullins, wide receiver Cole BW Davis who was McClelland’s favorite target, and linemen Carter Campbell, Colton Russell, Logan Rose and Christian Mayse.

Even with the loss of several skill players, the well isn’t dry.

PLEASE SEE “DEFEND,” PAGE 53

35 Trey Rutherford WR-DB 5-08 140 Fr. 40 Brandon Pierson RB-LB 5-09 195 Sr. 41 Isiah Runyon WR-LB 5-09 160 Fr. 44 Jeremy McMillian RB-LB 6-00 200 Sr. 53 Grant Gifford OL-DT 6-02 265 Sr. 55 Thomas Duna OL-DT 5-09 200 Sr. 61 Marice Long OL-DL 6-02 240 Fr. 62 Dallas Turley OL-DT 5-09 185 Fr. 63 Karl Klineman OL-DT 5-06 185 So. 65 Xavier Haney OL-LB 5-07 160 Fr. 66 Luke Byrd OL-DE 5-09 170 So. 70 Bennett McCallister OL-DE 5-11 225 Jr. 75 Josh Jackson OL-DT 5-09 295 Jr. 76 Kameron Hardy OL-DT 6-01 245 Jr. 77 Ryan Fetty OL-DL 5-10 190 Sr. 78 Brody Thompson OL-DT 6-04 330 Sr. JOB # 81 Ethan Nicely TE-LB 6-01 150 Fr. 3008 85 Larry Fox TE-DE 6-02 220 Sr. 87 Erik Sloan WR-LB area7WIB-n/a-letterhead-12/19/13 5-10 175 Jr. Head coach: James Gifford Imprint area/Size: n/a Item Color: n/a

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FOOTBALL 2019

The Gallipolis Blue Devils’ 2019 football team and defending Ohio Valley Conference champions. (Courtesy of Bryan Walters/ Gallipolis Daily Tribune)

Gallipolis Blue Devils Football Roster 2019 Gallipolis Blue Devils Football Roster No. Player Pos. Ht. Wt. Gr. 1 Briar Williams WR-DB 5-10 150 So. 2 Ben Cox WR-DB 6-01 210 Sr. 3 James Armstrong WR-DB 6-00 190 Jr. 4 Cameron Webb WR-LB 6-00 170 Jr. 5 Noah Vanco QB-DB 6-02 195 Jr. 6 Ryan Donovsky WR-DB 6-01 180 Sr. 8 David Willis WR-DB 5-08 120 Fr. 9 Kyrell Rencher WR-DB 5-09 135 Fr. 10 Brody Fellure QB-DB 5-09 145 Fr. 11 Mason Skidmore WR-DB 5-09 150 Fr. 12 Trent Johnson RB-LB 5-10 175 Jr. 13 Zach Belville WR-DB 5-10 160 Jr. 14 Grant Bryan WR-DB 5-10 160 Jr. 15 Evan Rodgers WR-DB 6-03 170 Sr. 20 Michael Beasy RB-DB 6-00 165 Jr. 21 Blake Skidmore WR-DB 6-01 145 So. 22 Carson Call RB-LB 5-11 180 So. 24 Donevyn Woodson WR-DB 5-11 145 So. 25 Jacob Hill QB-DB 5-11 160 Jr. 34 Cade Roberts RB-LB 6-01 225 Sr.

40 Adam Stout 44 Caleb Geiser 45 Andrew Toler 50 Riley Starnes 51 Garrison Garnes 52 Gabe Raynor 53 Zack Hemby 54 Brant Rocchi 55 Yashua Peaks 56 Cole Rose 58 Trent Meadows 59 Jarrell Scott 63 Collin Watson 64 Brayden Easton 67 Mason Smith 68 Shane Stroud 69 Mason Angel 73 Zac Canaday 74 Dakota McCoy 77 Isaac Clary Head coach: Alex Penrod

WR-DB RB-LB PK OL-DL OL-DL OL-DL OL-DL OL-LB OL-DL OL-DL OL-DL OL-LB OL-DL OL-DL OL-LB OL-DL OL-DL OL-DL OL-LB OL-DL

5-10 5-10 6-01 6-05 5-11 5-11 6-02 6-00 6-04 6-02 6-00 6-00 5-10 6-01 6-00 5-08 6-02 6-01 5-09 6-06

135 165 185 295 200 190 190 180 315 235 190 180 185 190 175 175 280 245 165 280

Jr. So. Sr. Jr. So. Fr. Jr. Jr. Jr. Sr. Sr. Jr. So. So. Fr. So. Sr. Sr. So. Fr.

FOOTBALL 2019

53

One key returning player is junior speedster James Armstrong (6-0, 190) who has picked up size and strength over the off-season.

Senior Cade Roberts (6-1, 225) will step in fulltime as the fullback and he has added 10 pounds to his frame.

The Blue Devils won’t be able to fill the void left by McClelland at quarterback immediately as well, but junior Noah Vanco (6-2, 195) is more than an ample replacement.

Vanco understands the offense and is a good runner to go along with his passing game.

The Blue Devils have several returning starters up front led by junior Riley Starnes (6-3, 295) who is in his third season as a starter at right tackle.

Also, back is junior right guard Yashua Peaks (6-4,

315) and senior left tackle Mason Angel (6-2. 280).

Replacing the surehands of Cory Call will be done by a committee of receivers that includes sophomore Briar Williams (5-10, 150), senior Ryan Donovsky (6-1, 180) and sophomore Doneuvyn Woodson (5-11, 145).

And, Armstrong will also be a key target in the passing game as well.

Defensively, the loss of Campbell was big but the Blue Devils have another outstanding linebacker in Roberts.

Starnes, Canaday and junior Jarrell Scott (6-0, 180) are part of an experienced defensive line.

Donovsky, Armstrong and senior Ben Cox (6-1, 210) will head up the secondary.

The kicking game has experience with senior Andrew Toler (6-1, 185) returning to handle the placements.

QUICK HITTER

Head Coach: Alex Penrod (14-7 at Gallipolis, third season; 30-23 overall, sixth season)

Assistant Coaches: Cody Call, Keith Fellure, Jared McClelland, Briggs Shoemaker, Ty Warnimont, Justin Bailey, Jordan Deel, Tyler Marcum, Colton Russell.

Key Returnees: James Armstrong, Colton Caldwell, Trenton Johnson, Cade Roberts, Andrew Toler, Riley Starnes, Trent Meadows, Mason Angel, Zach Canaday.

Key Loses: Jacob Campbell, Justin McClelland, Cory, Boo Pullins, Cole Davis, Carter Campbell, Colton Russell, Logan Rose, Christian Mayse.

2018 Record: 9-2 (7-0 OVC, first; Division IV playoffs) Offense: Spread, Multiple Defense: 4-3, Multiple Offensive Starters Returning: 6 Defensive Starters Returning: 5

OHSAA area regions The Ohio High School Athletic Association announced regional assignments for each division for the 2019 football season.

Division 5 Region 19 will have Ironton, Rock Hill, Chesapeake, South Point and Fairland locally.

Other teams include: Alexander, Amanda Clearcreek, Columbus Academy, Coshocton, Johnstown Monroe, Liberty Union, Meigs, Minford, McConnelsville Morgan, Northwest, Oak Hill, Portsmouth, Portsmouth West, River Valley, Wellston, West Lafayette Ridgewood, Columbus Bishop Ready, Westfall, Zane Trace and West Muskingum.

The shifting of teams to different divisions and regions is most evident with Coal Grove who will be among a lot of new faces in Region 24 of Division 6 instead of Region 23.

The region is comprised of Adena, Cincinnati Country Day, Covington, Dayton Christian, Cincinnati Deer Park, New Lebanon Dixie, Milford Center Fairbanks, Fayetteville-Perry, Columbus Grandview Heights, Jamestown Greenview, Chillicothe Huntington Ross, Cincinnati Montessori, Mechanicsburg, New Paris National Trail, Paint Valley, Springfield Northeastern, Chillicothe Southeastern, Troy Christian, Lucasville Valley, Williamsburg and Worthington Christian.

Symmes Valley and Green will remain in Region 27 of Division 7.

The region will become comprised of Portsmouth Notre Dame, Sciotoville East, Beaver Eastern, Beallsville, Berne Union, Zanesville Bishop Rosecrans, Bridgeport, Caldwell, Reedsville Eastern, Lancaster Fairfield Christian, Lancaster Fisher Catholic, New Matamoras Frontier, Grove City Christian, Canal Winchester Harvest Prep, Manchester, Corning Miller, Millersport, Woodsfield Monroe, Newark Catholic, Hannibal River, Shadyside, Sarahsville Shenandoah, Racine Southern, South Gallia and Waterford.

The playoffs begin on Friday, Nov. 8, with divisions 4, 5 and 7 with divisions 1,2, 3, and 6 on Saturday, Nov. 9.

The state championship games will be held Dec. 5-8 in Canton at Fawcett Stadium. The schedule for each division will be announced at a later date.

Gallipolis Blue Devils Gallipolis 47 Meigs Gallipolis 46 River Valley Gallipolis 9 Jackson Gallipolis 55 Chesapeake Gallipolis 34 Portsmouth Gallipolis 53 Fairland Gallipolis 42 Coal Grove Gallipolis 43 Rock Hill Gallipolis 36 Ironton Gallipolis 44 South Point D4 PLAYOFFS Gallipolis 12 Licking Valley Record: 9-2 (7-0 OVC)

34 0 15 20 7 35 20 40 33 0 36

2019 Schedule

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 52

2018 Results

Blue Devils

Gallipolis Blue Devils August 30 at Meigs 7:30 September 7 at River Valley 7:30 13 Pt. PLEASANT, W.Va. 7:00 20 CHESAPEAKE# 7:00 27 PORTSMOUTH# 7:00 October 4 at Fairland# 7:00 11 COAL GROVE# 7:00 18 at Rock Hill# 7:00 25 IRONTON# 7:00 November 1 at South Point# 7:00 #-Denotes OVC game Head coach: Alex Penrod

54

FOOTBALL 2019

Fosson, Salyers are Fighting Tigers own ‘Thunder & Lightning’ Jim Walker jim.walker@irontontribune.com

A storm can bring thunder and lightning.

And, so can the Ironton Fighting Tigers’ backfield.

While the heavy rains produced 1,000-yard rusher Reid Carrico last season, there was plenty more to be concerned about when Ironton’s offense hit the line of scrimmage.

The thunder came in the form of 6-foot-1, 235-pound fullback Seth Fosson and the lightning flashed courtesy of 6-foot-1, 205-pound fleet-footed duel threat quarterback Gage Salyers.

The duo doesn’t take a backseat when opposing teams are scheming their defenses. Not only are they major threats with their skills, the two seniors are now the team leaders.

It’s thunder and lightning, oh yeah I tell you it’s frightening, oh yeah It’s thunder and lightning And you’re in control (By Chi Coltrane) Salyers and Fosson are Ironton’s thunder and lightning and as senior leaders, they are in control.

“My sophomore year and my junior year, I was just the leader of the offense and I was young. But as a senior and being a leader of the team is a big step.

Our senior class — all 16 of us lead,” said Salyers.

Fosson is a two-time first team all-district and AllOhio player. He was third team All-Ohio as a sopho-

more running back but his carries were limited last season and he was honored as a defensive end. As a sophomore, Fosson averaged 9.6 yards a carry.

“I gained a pretty good bit (of confidence). I felt like I’ve hung with all the older cats in these previous years and now I’m the older cat and I’m ready to go,” said Fosson.

Those years of experience and becoming “the older cat” also puts Fosson in a leadership position that he wants to use to help his younger teammates.

“I’m glad to be able to take charge this year and hopefully lead us to victory. We just got to keep our attitudes together. We’ll just keep rolling if our attitudes are right,” said Fosson.

Salyers has his future secured after committing to Youngstown State, which will allow him to totally focus on his senior season.

“I’ve kind of got my personal goals set. I’m pretty set on Youngstown. I love it there. I’m more of a team guy. A state championship and a conference championship would be nice,” said Salyers.

Last season, Salyers was 61-of-123 passing for 917 yards and 12 touchdowns and only three interceptions. Clocked at 4.58 seconds in the 40-yard dash, Salyers also ran 101 times for 531 yards and eight TDs. A first team AllSoutheast district selection and special mention All-Ohio, Salyers has

Ironton fullback Seth Fosson (44) run through a would-be tackler. (Kent Sanborn/Southern Ohio Sports Photos)

Ironton quarterback Gage Salyers (7) throws on the run against Gallipolis. (Kent Sanborn/Southern Ohio Sports Photos) shown improvement each season and has already shown signs of better things to come this fall.

But with that maturity comes responsibility and the senior quarterback is up to the challenge.

“My sophomore year and

my junior year, I was just the leader of the offense and I was young. But as a senior and being a leader of the team is a big step.

Our senior class — all 16 of us lead,” said Salyers.

PLEASE SEE “FOSSON, SALYERS,” PAGE 55

FOOTBALL 2019

55

Fosson, Salyers CONTINUED FROM PAGE 64 The biggest leadership quality derived from both players is their expectations and goals that are team oriented.

“Expectations are huge.

I think we have a state caliber team. Our defensive line is nasty. We have Seth (Fosson), Junior Jones, Nate Cochran, Gunnar Crawford and our linebackers are all juniors and one sophomore Ashton Duncan. And our DBs, we’ve got three seniors and one junior so, I mean, we’re going to be pretty good this year,” said Salyers.

“And our offense is better. Last year was kind of rough at the beginning because everything was so new. It’s supposed to be a big, high-powered offense.”

A lot of players would be unhappy or get disgruntled if they only blocked instead of getting more carries. And despite being one of the best running backs in Southeast Ohio, Fosson only wants to put the team first.

“It doesn’t bother me.

I want to win a championship,” said Fosson who only averages about six carries a game.

Expectations have been running high at Ironton with talk of making a deep playoff run. Fosson would love a state title to cap his high school career.

“It looks pretty good this year. It’s fine with me.

I’ve been working for it for four years. This is our chance, our last chance to get it. I just want to win a state championship,” said Fosson.

If things go well on the field this season for Fosson, it could mean a rise in his stock in the eyes of college

Gage Salyers

Seth Fosson

recruiters.

He said there have been several school who are interested, but he hasn’t really gotten serious about anyone at the time. He is putting his focus on the upcoming season.

Another key characteristic the players share is an equal love for offense and defense.

“It doesn’t really matter to me at this point. I love them both. I love being on both sides. Being a quarterback is fun. The ball is in your hands every play and just being athletic,” said Salyers.

“Playing safety is fun, too, because I think it’s the hardest position. You have to cover and come downhill and hit somebody.”

Fosson has been a force at defensive end as well as fullback, but he said teams are looking at him strictly from an offensive standpoint.

“They look at me as an H-back, a blocking back or kind of like a tight end. No one really has a fullback.

They use an H-back,” said Fosson.

But the senior standout has no problem playing defense.

“I like both because sometimes in a game, you could be doing bad on offense and you can make

up for what you’ve done on defense and vice versa. Or you can do great on both and end up with a good game,” said Fosson.

Although expectations are running high among the team, Salyers said the team must not get ahead of itself and play the games

one at a time.

“We have to stay focused and execute. Staying focus and staying locked in on Friday night, and practices are big. Our practices are like a game so it makes our games way easier,” said Salyers.

Fosson isn’t worried about his future. He has set his focus on the task at hand and wants to convey that same feeling to his teammates that the goal is winning a state championship.

“It’s been since ’89. We need a new one,” Fosson said.

For Ironton to win a state championship, it’s going to take hard work, determination, focus and possibly a little luck.

And some thunder and lightning would definitely help.

s in ce 19 46

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FOOTBALL 2019

Members of the 2019 Symmes Valley Vikings’ football team are: front row from left to right, Austin May, Levi Ross, Gavan Payne, Levi Niece, Derek Crum, Nick Strow, Josh Ferguson and Caleb Mullins; second row left to right, Christian Gilbert, Dillon Reed, Issac Ross, Jacob Napier, Alec Beckett, Gary Combs, Skyler Vasser and Kayson Adkins; third row left to right, coach John Coriell, Wyatt Owens, Houston Bennett, Tanner McComas, Preston Combs, Dwayne Eplin, Johnny Rucker and coach Eric Holland; fourth row left to right, coach Ben Ferguson, Eli Patterson, Tobey Smathers, Jack Leith, head coach Rusty Webb, Luke Leith, Ethan Patterson, Gavan Yates and coach Brad Nelson. (Jim Walker/Ironton Tribune)

Vikings will stay the course under Webb

Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

WILLOW WOOD — Rusty Webb doesn’t have to think too long when asked what his game plan is going to be this season for his Symmes Valley Vikings football team.

“Offensively, it’s the same plan we’ve had for the past 19 years. We

want to possess the ball and just grind things out,” said Webb who enters his 19th season as the head coach.

The system has worked for the Vikings who are 116-74 during his tenure. Webb is looking for it to continue to work this season after a very young team went 4-6 last season and returns eight starters on offense and

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seven on defense.

“We’ve already seen the experience in practice. We’re practicing better,” said Webb.

“Even though we’re still young, we’re not using that as an excuse. A lot of these guys have already got 10 varsity games under their belt.

PLEASE SEE “CONCERN,” PAGE 58

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THE 2019 SYMMES VALLEY VIKINGS

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FOOTBALL 2019

Concern CONTINUED FROM PAGE 56

J. Leith

Smathers

Eplin

Gilbert

SYMMES VALLEY VIKINGS FOOTBALL ROSTER No. Player 1 Josh Ferguson 2 Caleb Mullins 3 Luke Leith 4 Derek Crum 6 Tyler Depriest 7 Jack Leith 9 Levi Niece 12 Alec Beckett 14 Levi Ross 21 Gavan Payne 22 Seth Ulery 29 Ethan Patterson 33 Wyatt Owens 34 Nick Strow 44 Tobey Smathers 48 Skyler Vasser 50 Eli Patterson 51 Gavan Yates 54 Issac Ross 56 Gary Combs 60 Austin May 63 Johnny Rucker 65 Dwayne Eplin OL-DL 72 Tanner McComas 74 Houston Bennett 75 Kayson Adkins 77 Jacob Napier 78 Preston Counts 82 Christian Gilbert 85 Dillon Reed Head coach: Rusty Webb

Pos. RB-LB TE-LB TE-DB RB-DL RB-DB QB-LB RB-LB RB-LB RB-DB RB-LB TE-DB RB-DB TE-DB RB-LB TE-DL TE-DL OL-LB OL-LB OL-DL OL-LB OL-DL OL-DL 5-11 OL-DL OL-DL OL-DL OL-DL OL-DL TE-DL TE-DL

Ht. Wt. Gr. 5-10 175 Jr. 6-01 210 Jr. 6-01 160 Jr. 5-07 190 Jr. 5-08 150 Fr. 6-03 170 Sr. 5-06 165 So. 5-10 170 Fr. 5-04 135 Fr. 5-08 180 So. 5-06 135 So. 6-00 155 So. 5-11 155 Fr. 5-10 160 So. 6-03 205 Sr. 6-01 200 Jr. 6-00 180 So. 6-00 240 So. 5-10 185 Fr. 5-09 160 Fr. 5-07 170 Fr. 5-09 225 So. 200 Sr. 5-11 265 So. 5-10 275 Jr. 5-10 235 Jr. 6-00 185 Fr. 5-10 225 So. 5-10 175 Sr. 5-09 145 Sr.

“Some of them are sophomores and some of them are juniors, so we have a little bit higher expectations of them.”

QUARTERBACK Senior Jack Leith (6-3, 170) was the team’s top playmaker last season and Webb wants to put him in a position where he can continue to make plays. Luke Alec Beckett “Jack became our started halfway through last year and did a very good job.

Jack is one of our better runners. We always like to have the ball in his hands and he can get the ball to the right people,” said Webb.

Junior Luke Leith (6-1, 160) — Jack’s brother — and freshman Alec Beckett (5-10, 170) are the backups.

RUNNING BACKS The Vikings will utilize both the wishbone and wing-T offenses this season which means a plethora of running backs will be needed.

The fullback is junior Derek Crum (5-7, 190) who started last season at halfback before shifting to fullback due to injuries.

Sophomore Levi Niece (5-6, 160) missed last season with a broken leg but will join the depth chart at that position along with sophomore Gavan Payne (5-8, 180).

Junior Josh Ferguson (5-10, 175) is a returning running back and the other candidates will be Luke Leith, and sophomores Nick Strow (5-10, 160) and Ethan Patterson (6-0, 155).

PLEASE SEE “RB DEPTH,” PAGE 59

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FOOTBALL 2019

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2019 Schedule

Symmes Valley Vikings August 31 at South Gallia 7:00 September 6 FAIRFIELD CHRISTIAN 7:00 13 CHESAPEAKE 7:00 20 at Fairview, Ky. 7:00 27 at Sciotoville East 7:00 October 4 GREEN# 7:00 11 at Eastern# 7:00 18 SCIOTOVILLE EAST# 7:00 25 PORTS. NOTRE DAME# 7:00 November 1 at Northwest# 7:00 #-Denotes SOC game Head coach: Rusty Webb

2018 Results

SYMMES VALLEY DEPTH CHART

Symmes Valley Vikings Sym. Valley 14 South Gallia 12 Sym. Valley 19 Fairfield Christian 13 Sym. Valley 0 Chesapeake 49 Sym. Valley 0 Oak Hill 40 Sym. Valley 15 Green 22 Sym. Valley 12 Eastern 38 Sym. Valley 15 Notre Dame 14 Sym. Valley 42 Manchester 6 Sym. Valley 18 Sciotoville 22 Sym. Valley 26 Northwest (4OT) 32 Record: 4-6 (1-5 SOC)

DEFENSE CB

CB

29 Et. Patterson 9 Niece

34 9

1 Ferguson 21 Payne

ILB

S

51 Yates 12 Beckett

OLB Strow Niece

ILB

3 L. Leith 7 J. Leith

DE

2 Mullins 56 Combs

DT

82 Gilbert 50 El. Patterson

75 Adkins 72 McComas 78 Counts

DT 65 Eplin 63 Rucker

OLB 7 J. Leith 21 Payne

DE 4 Crum 44 Smathers

OFFENSE

44 82

WR TE Smathers Lorem ipsum Gilbertsitam dolor Lorem ipsum dolor sitam

LT

LG

75 Adkins 63 Rucker

51 Yates 78 Counts

RB 3 L. Leith 29 Et. Patterson

C

RG

72 McComas 50 El. Patterson 54 Ross

50 El. Patterson 51 Yates 78 Counts

QB FB 4 Crum 9 Niece 21 Payne

7 J. Leith 3 L. Leith 12 Bekcett

RT 65 Eplin 63 Rucker 75 Adkins

TE 2 Mullins 85 Reed

RB 1 Ferguson 34 Strow

RB Depth CONTINUED FROM PAGE 58 “We have some depth. We feel we have two completely full backfields that we can run waves at you. They all have different things they can do so we have to plug them in and try to play to their strength,” said Webb.

The wingback will come from the halfbacks.

OFFENSIVE LINE The center position has sophomore Tanner McComas (5-11, 265) who moves over after playing guard last year. Sophomore Eli Patterson (6-0, 180) is

another candidate at center but is expected to play some guard. Also in the mix is freshman Issac Ross (5-10, 185).

Joining Patterson at the guard positions will be sophomores Gavan Yates (6-0, 240) and Preston Counts (5-10, 225).

There are several choices as well to play tackle with senior Dwayne Eplin (5-11, 200), sophomore Johnny Rucker (5-9, 225) and junior Kayson Adkins (5-10, 235) who saw time last year.

“We have a little depth on the offensive line so we can

rest some guys and rotate some guys in,” said Webb.

ENDS The group playing at end will be able to play as a tight end or split out.

The tight ends are junior Caleb Mullins (6-1, 210), senior Christian Gilbert (5-10, 175), senior Tobey Smathers (6-3, 205) and senior Dillon Reed (5-9, 145).

“All those guys can move inside or out. We have some size in the group and some athletic kids as well,” said Webb.

PLEASE SEE “DEFENSE,” PAGE 60

Bennett

Adkins

Reed

L. Leith

Ferguson

Crum

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FOOTBALL 2019

QUICK HITTER

McComas

Yates

Niece

Counts

Strow

Mullins

Et. Patterson

El. Patterson

Defense CONTINUED FROM PAGE 59

DEFENSIVE LINE Up front the Vikings will rotate a group of players that includes Eplin and Adkins at the tackles with Rucker, McComas and Counts as the backups.

Crum, Gilbert, Smathers and Eli Patterson will rotate at the end positions.

“There’s some experience in the group and we plan to play all those guys,” said Webb. “We feel we have two complete units and we want to rotate those guys in there and try to wear some teams down.

LINEBACKERS Inside linebackers will come from Yates and Mullins inside with backup help coming from freshman Gary Combs (5-9, 160) and Beckett.

Jack Leith and Strow are returning starters at outside linebacker with Niece and Payne the backups.

“We have a lot of experience there. Strow was a starter along with Jack Leith and we’ve got Mullins and Yates who are new to that position but have doing really well. We are very pleased with what we’re see-

ing there,” said Webb.

SECONDARY The cornerbacks will be Ferguson and Ethan Patterson with Reed expected to be in the mix.

Luke Leith is a returning starter at safety and he will be backed up by his brother Jack.

“We think our biggest strength will be in the secondary because that’s where our older kids are,” said Webb.

KICKING GAME Jack Leith and Niece are the candidates to do the punting while Yates handles the placements. Ferguson and Ethan Patterson will be the backups for Yates.

SOUTHERN OHIO CONFERENCE No Oak Hill.

With Oak Hill moving up to SOC II, Webb said the SOC I is up for grabs but he still has his top three favorites.

“Beaver Eastern has a lot of athletes back. Green and Northwest have the most players back. Notre Dame has a lot back and East always plays physical.

It’s going to be competitive.

You have to be ready every week,” said Webb.

Head Coach: Rusty Webb (116-74 overall and at Symmes Valley, 19th season)

Assistant Coaches: John Coriell, Brad Nelson, Eric Holland, Kyle Meadows, Ben Ferguson, Kyle Wells. Stats: Cameron Meadows. Film: John Sharp.

Key Returnees: Jack Leith, Derek Crum, Luke Leith, Josh Ferguson, Nick Strow, Dillon Reed, Kayson Adkins, Ethan Patterson, Eli Patterson, Dwayne Eplin, Christian Gilbert, Preston Counts, Gavan Yates, Gavan Payne, Tanner McComas, Levi Niece.

Key Loses: Keifer Wilson, Trent Turner. James Newcomb.

2018 Record: 4-6 (1-5 SOC, sixth) Offense: Wing-T, Wishbone, Multiple Defense: 4-4, Multiple Offensive Starters Returning: 7 Defensive Starters Returning: 8

2018 H.S. Football Standings 2018 Final High School Football Standings Ohio Valley Conference

OVC Overall

W L Pts. Opp W L Pts Opp Gallipolis 7 0 305 135 9 1 409 184 Ironton 5 2 280 159 6 4 309 208 Portsmouth 5 2 234 178 7 3 325 238 Fairland 4 3 235 223 6 4 339 295 Chesapeake 3 4 236 243 5 5 318 296 Coal Grove 2 5 171 206 4 6 253 247 Rock Hill 2 5 155 203 3 7 237 264 South Point 0 7 68 339 0 10 107 446 Southern Ohio Conference Division I SOC Overall

W L Pts Opp W L Pts Opp Oak Hill 6 0 290 37 8 2 370 154 Green 4 2 108 104 8 2 337 124 Beaver Eastern 4 2 174 123 5 5 234 220 Ports. Notre Dame 2 4 107 155 3 7 203 262 Sciotoville East 2 4 89 218 3 7 127 354 Northwest 2 4 105 165 2 8 119 315 Symmes Valley 1 5 86 160 4 6 161 240

Division II SOC Overall

W L Pts Opp W L Pts Opp Wheelersburg 4 0 163 13 9 1 350 91 Waverly 3 1 113 109 9 1 398 186 Portsmouth West 2 2 81 84 6 4 244 169 Lucasville Valley 1 3 82 115 4 6 290 294 Minford 0 4 42 160 6 4 247 214

FOOTBALL 2019

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SENIOR SHOWCASE The 2019 Portsmouth Trojans’ seniors are: front row left to right, Jairemiah Brown, Tyler McCoy, Eugene Johnson, Talyn Parker, Chris Jenkins, Austin McKenzie and Eric Purdy; second row left to right, KaDen Davis, Shad Duckett, Tanner Queen, head coach Bruce Kalb, Mason Shepherd, Bryce Wallace, Ty Pendleton and Seth Porter. (Kent Sanborn of SouthernOhioSportsPhotos. com)

The Gallipolis Blue Devils’ 2019 seniors are, from left to right, Evan Rodgers, Ryan Donovsky, Trent Meadows, Cade Roberts, Mason Angel, Ben Cox, Matt Canaday, Cole Rose and Andrew Toler. (Courtesy of Bryan Walters/Gallipolis Daily Tribune)

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SENIOR SHOWCASE The 2019 Symmes Valley Vikings seniors are: left to right, Christian Gilbert, Tobey Smathers, Jack Leith, Dwayne Eplin and Dillon Reed. (Kent Sanborn of SouthernOhioSportsPhotos. com)

The 2019 Green Bobcats seniors are, from left to right, Seth Imes, Troy Otworth, Ethan Carpenter, Devin Hossfeld, Mason Hensley, Trevor Darnell, Will Imes and Caleb Derifield. (Kent Sanborn of SouthernOhioSportsPhotos. com)

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SENIOR SHOWCASE

The 2019 Ironton Fighting Tigers’ seniors are: front row from left to right, Beau Brownstead, Noah Davidson, Junior Jones, Avery Book, Lucas White, Izsak Unger, Gage Salyers and Jordan Grizzle; second row left to right, Seth Fosson, Caden McCann, Jacquin Young, Colin Freeman, Nolan Schreck, Hunter Eaches, Richard Thompson and Bryce Munion. (Kent Sanborn of SouthernOhioSportsPhotos.com)

The 2019 Coal Grove Hornets’ seniors are: front row from left to right, Reece York, Jeremiah Rice, Justin Castle, Colton Sparks and Joe Abrams; second row from left to right, Austin Stormes, Justin Hicks, Ethan Short and Cory Borders. (Tony Shotsky of SouthernOhioSportsPhotos.com)

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FOOTBALL 2019

SENIOR SHOWCASE

The 2019 Rock Hill Redmen seniors are: front row left to right, T.J. French, Zak Adkins, Logan Hankins, Adam Rhodes and Tristan Marshall; second row left to right, Tristan Delong, Tucker Carpenter, T.J. McGinnis and Ethan McClaskey. (Courtesy of Tim Gearhart)

The 2019 South Point Pointers’ seniors are: front row left to right, Chance Gunther, Chris Slash, Ryan Fetty, Thomas Duna and Brandon Pierson; second row left to right, Grant Gifford, Brody Thompson, Larry Fox, Josh Rigney and Jeremy McMillian. (Kent Sanborn of SouthernOhioSportsPhotos.com)

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SENIOR SHOWCASE

The 2019 Chesapeake Panthers’ seniors are, front row from left to right, Luke Shields, Logan Walsh, Carson Nida, Will Todd and Brady Wilson; second row left to right, Dakota Hess and Kamren Harless. (Kent Sanborn of SouthernOhioSportsPhotos.com)

The 2019 Fairland Dragons’ seniors are: front row left to right, Michael Stitt, Rhiyder Slone, Reilly Sowards, Brennan West and Bryan Defoe; standing left to right, Colton Tackett, Blaine Cremeans, Kobe Newman, Kyle Rankin and Jordan Wellman. (Kent Sanborn of SouthernOhioSportsPhotos.com)

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